In brief
The humanitarian crisis in Haiti deepens following a violent attack on an ambulance carrying shooting victims, leading to the death of two patients. Médecins Sans Frontières condemns the incident, highlighting the increasing risks faced by medical personnel in an unstable environment dominated by gang violence.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a prominent charity operating in Haiti, has reported that at least two of its patients were killed following an attack on their ambulance amid escalating violence in Port-au-Prince. The charity revealed that they were transporting three patients with gunshot wounds when they were halted by police, who redirected them to a public hospital instead of their facility.Upon arrival at the hospital, the ambulance was assaulted by law enforcement and members of a local self-defense group, who punctured the vehicle's tires and forced the occupants out by deploying tear gas. Tragically, MSF reported that at least two of the wounded patients were subsequently taken from the hospital grounds and executed.The fate of the third patient remains uncertain, with MSF stating that their ambulance staff also faced violence during the ordeal, being subjected to insults, threats, and hours of being held hostage. Christophe Garnier, MSF's head of mission in Haiti, condemned the attack, expressing grave concerns over their capacity to deliver healthcare under such dangerous conditions.MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, is one of the last remaining NGOs in Haiti amidst a climate of intense violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The vacuum of power has allowed armed gangs to assert dominance in many regions, with reports indicating that criminal organizations now control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince.The United Nations estimates that more than 3,600 people have lost their lives in Haiti since the start of the year, with over 500,000 displaced due to the ongoing violence. In response, the UN has organized an international police operation primarily comprising Kenyan officers to restore order in specific areas, including key infrastructure like the national hospital and airport.Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire, as evidenced by several US airlines that halted flights to Haiti this week following incidents in which gunfire struck planes either arriving or departing from the capital. In light of these developments, a new prime minister took office, vowing to prioritize the restoration of security in the beleaguered nation.
