By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) – Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced on Wednesday the suspension of its operations in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, due to escalating incidents of police violence and threats against its staff.
In a statement, MSF highlighted the severity of the situation, saying, "A series of threats by police forces against Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) staff have forced us to suspend our activities until further notice in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince."
According to the medical charity, security forces repeatedly stopped its vehicles and threatened staff members. As a result, all operations in the capital have been halted until further notice.
MSF's Haiti Representative Christophe Garnier emphasized the gravity of the decision, stating, "Every day that we cannot resume activities is a tragedy, as we are one of the few providers of a wide range of medical services who have remained open during this extremely difficult year. However, we can no longer continue operating in an environment where our staff is at risk of being attacked, raped, or even killed."
- Haiti’s escalating crisis
Haiti, with a population of over 11 million, faces severe challenges, including political instability, economic turmoil, and a worsening security crisis. Armed gangs now control approximately 80% of the capital, intensifying daily violence.
According to the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, armed gang violence has claimed 3,900 lives since the beginning of the year.
The surge in violence has also led to significant political changes. Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in April 2024, prompting the establishment of a Transitional Council.
Garry Conille was appointed as Prime Minister on May 28 but was replaced on November 11 by businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé following a council decision.