Fresh waves of violence have forced an estimated 30,000 people to flee their homes in Haiti, exacerbating an already severe hunger crisis. Much of the conflict is concentrated in Cité Soleil, an impoverished neighborhood in the capital, where humanitarian workers are striving to deliver essential aid. The Caribbean nation continues to grapple with years of insecurity, deep-rooted poverty, a collapsing economy, and political instability following a presidential assassination.
Two women who escaped the violence shared their harrowing experiences with the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
Anidette Saint Fleur, from Quartier Blanchard (Cité Soleil)
“There was shooting everywhere. Then they set a fire very close by and we ran away with the whole family,” said Anidette Saint Fleur. “We didn’t go back to our homes. The gangs are everywhere in the area. We only had time to leave with our ID documents. We haven’t gone back since.”
She added, “I always keep a bag ready, just in case. When I hear heavy shooting, I grab my bag and flee with everyone. I had just paid my rent and we had to flee. Now we have nothing — no money, no roof — and we don’t know if or when we’ll be able to return. Please help us. Not having a roof to sleep under and food for the children is the hardest thing for us right now.”
Dorlean Boudin, resident of Sarthe, Carrefour Vincent near Cité Soleil
“There were men with machetes setting fire to houses with people inside. They burned, beheaded, shot, killed — and if you had a shop, they looted everything,” recounted Dorlean Boudin. “The situation was already very difficult for me, I had very little money. I couldn’t buy food because I had to save money in case of emergency, to flee. We stayed without eating so we could save for transport to escape.”
Boudin stated, “I need to restart a small business to raise the children. I need help with food to feed them, and to buy water because we don’t have any.”
The WFP has provided emergency food assistance to 8,500 newly displaced individuals from Cité Soleil. However, nine WFP-supported schools serving approximately 12,000 students have had to suspend meal distributions.
Janvier Muhima from WFP confirmed that people are receiving food supplies, including rice, pulses, oil, and fortified flour, to sustain them during their displacement.
Nationwide, over 1.4 million people, exceeding 12 percent of the population, have been displaced primarily due to criminal violence. Port-au-Prince has become the epicenter of this violence, with gangs reportedly controlling up to 90 percent of the city. The recruitment of children into gangs has surged, with some estimates suggesting children now constitute 30-50 percent of certain gang factions.
