Gangs Take Over: Violence Reaches New Heights in Port-au-Prince as Aid is Disrupted

The situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and main port, has never been as violent as it is now, according to New York-based photojournalist Giles Clarke. He revealed that gangs currently control around 75% of the city, making it challenging for vital supply lines to reach other parts of the country. The streets once frequented by Clarke are now barricaded with burnt vehicles as entire neighborhoods try desperately to defend themselves against kidnappings and attacks orchestrated by armed groups.
Warring gang factions have been wreaking havoc in Port-au-Prince, forcing over 200,000 people out of their homes due to indiscriminate killings, abductions, arson, and rape. Clarke recently visited the city’s displacement settlements that are now found everywhere – from schools and churches to former theaters and boxing gyms. He recounted being there when school was supposedly starting for a new year but instead saw families living in tents on classroom floors due to overcrowding caused by internal displacements triggered by violence. Mothers held hungry babies while NGOs rushed to provide basic necessities such as clean water, baby formula, and daily meals if external security allowed access. Many of those Clarke met complained about the lack of accessible clean drinking water or medication due to gang activity preventing movement around town.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been urging military assistance since taking over leadership after President Jovenel Moise’s assassination in 2021, and on Monday, the UN Security Council approved a multinational armed force deployment aimed at restoring security to Haiti.