Fleeing Port-au-Prince: Tales of Violence and Despair
Escaping a city under siege is no easy task. Just imagine your daily commute, but this time dodging bullets, navigating through gang-controlled territories, and fearing for your life. Welcome to Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti.
A Nightmarish Exodus
In less than three weeks, over 53,000 Haitians have fled the turmoil-infested capital. You may have experienced long tiresome journeys too, but theirs takes the crown. They risk it all through gang-controlled areas, where gang rapes are a chilling regular and armed gunfire on public transportation is a horrifyingly familiar scenario.
Marjorie Michelle-Jean, a 42-year-old mother, is journeying north with her two children, aged seven and four. The family home in Port-au-Prince, constantly caught under stray bullets, had become too dangerous for her little ones.
Marjorie says, “I want them to live”. Such a simple wish, yet in Haiti, it’s becoming an elusive dream. Twice, they had tried and failed due to roadblocks. Bravely, Marjorie says, “I will keep trying. It is absolutely not safe in Port-au-Prince”.
Seeking Refuge, Facing New Challenges
Over half of the escapees have sought the rural regions in the southern parts of the country. But the asylum they seek may just become another problem. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaks of the grim reality, “These areas do not have enough infrastructure or resources to cope with the high numbers fleeing from Port-au-Prince”.
The World Health Organization reports more than 1,500 lives already lost to Haiti’s escalating spiral of violence. Heavily armed gangs control large parts of the capital, incessant shootings, looting, and frequent fires have become the norm.
Hope Amid Turmoil: Multinational Police Force
The chaos doesn’t end there. Rogue “self-defense brigades” have been associated with brutal lynchings and setting people on fire. Adding to Haiti’s woes, in the wake of the increasing violence, acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry stepped down last month.
But there is hope. The UN’s human rights chief, Volker Türk underscores the need for a multinational police force to help stem the violence. He also stresses the need for continued talks to reach a political solution that leads to new democratic elections.
Haiti: A Land of Turbulence, Bravery, and Hope
For those of us in the expat community in Sweden, incidents like these from around the world remind us of the peace and stability we sometimes take for granted.
These 53,000 Haitians fleeing their homes; their heartbreaking tales of horror and bravery resound in our hearts. As we follow the developments in the Caribbean nation, we stand in hope and solidarity with Haiti, hoping for a peaceful resolution soon.
