Port-au-Prince, 30 July 2022 (TDI): Due to intensifying violence between the armed groups in the capital of Haiti, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has observed a significant increase in the number of patients. MSF is currently treating dozens of affected people who are wounded by stray bullets.
As violence intensifies in the capital of #Haiti, our teams are treating dozens of people with stray bullet wounds ⬇️ https://t.co/JkTuJqOH0f
— MSF International (@MSF) July 29, 2022
Since President Jovenel Mossé was killed by mercenaries a year ago, gang violence has increased dramatically in Haiti.
The violence has now reached shockingly new heights as a result of the conflict that broke out on July 8 between two criminal coalitions known as G9 and G-Pèp.
Moreover, hundreds of people have been injured and died in the conflict between Haitian gangs in Port-au-Prince. Gang associates have often been involved in gunfights with the police and other gang members.
The devastated Cité Soleil area in Port-au-Prince has served as the main point of conflict between the G9 criminal alliance and a rival coalition named G-Pep. Amid the conflict, the city’s provisional cathedral also caught fire.
MSF teams are working in Haiti
MSF teams conducted 150 medical consultations in the Cité Soleil area during the ceasefire. These consultations included 30 patients with severe wounds.
Lack of treatment frequently leads to infections. This is most likely due to continued fighting or the deployment of roadblocks and barriers by armed groups, which prevents the injured from receiving medical care.
Due to the risk of gunfire and stray gunshots in some regions, MSF teams are only able to treat patients in basements or rooms without windows.
MSF medical coordinator in Haiti, Rachelle Seguin said, “These patients only represent a small number of the victims. Moving around has become extremely dangerous in several areas of the city.
Many inhabitants are trapped in their neighborhoods. This has made access to healthcare very difficult. We are organizing mobile clinics to reach the people who can’t move.
But even our medical teams face difficulties. At least three times our mobile clinics had to be postponed or canceled because of the fighting.”
MSF teams have noticed a decline in outpatient visits since the level of violence has risen in various Port-au-Prince areas.
Due to the fighting, many are unable to leave the areas that are affected. MSF appeals to all sides to make sure that civilians are protected from harm and given access to medical care.
