Haiti’s government has approved a $275,000 “war budget” aimed at addressing the country’s worsening gang violence crisis. The budget allocates nearly 40% of its funds towards strengthening the police and military to combat armed groups threatening national stability.
However, critics argue that the additional resources will not alleviate the shortage of funding for U.N.-backed missions, which struggle to help local authorities quell gang violence. Gangs controlling over 85% of Port-au-Prince’s capital continue to attack nearby communities, with recent attacks on Mirebalais and Saut’d’Eau leaving at least 60 people dead.
The situation has spiralled out of control, with the government accused of ignoring warnings from civilians and self-defense groups. The National Human Rights Defense Network reported that police officers fled during attacks, and staff and patients were evacuated from hospitals. The lack of a clear response from authorities has turned them into “firefighters” reacting to situations without strategic direction.
The U.N. estimates that over 1,500 people have been killed in gang-related violence since January 1, with another 572 injured, leaving over 1 million people homeless. As the crisis deepens, Haiti’s government must act decisively to restore citizens’ rights and public safety.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/haiti-gangs-violence-war-budget-mirebalais-saut-deau-daa19487d58e9ada1846ad674bca0e54