Turbulence in Haiti: Flight Suspensions and Rising Unrest Amidst Spiraling Crisis
Port-au-Prince, Haiti (AFP) — Recent turbulence in Haiti has garnered international attention as JetBlue and Spirit Airlines suspended their flights to the embattled Caribbean nation, amidst a fresh surge of gang violence that has further exacerbated the country’s ongoing struggles. According to sources at Port-au-Prince’s international airport, flights between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Port-au-Prince have been canceled, while JetBlue continues to maintain its direct route from New York City.
Although neither airline officially cited reasons for these suspensions, the escalating violence provides a grim backdrop. A recent United Nations report highlighted that over 10,000 individuals have been displaced in just a week due to attacks in areas surrounding the metropolitan capital of Port-au-Prince.
Haiti, long afflicted by intertwining political, humanitarian, and security crises, has seen its situation spiral further. The nation’s woes intensified earlier this year with coordinated assaults by powerful armed gangs, culminating in the resignation of its unelected prime minister. An interim government was established, and an international support mission spearheaded by Kenya was initiated to bolster Haiti’s struggling police force; however, it is yet to reach its targeted capacity.
The police, facing formidable challenges, have been unable to reclaim significant territories in the capital from the grip of gangs, and the violence shows no signs of abating. This week alone, a vicious attack in Solino, a district in the southern part of the capital, resulted in thousands fleeing for safety and the tragic deaths of two women, including a pregnant mother eight months into her pregnancy.
These recent events follow the horror of a major gang attack in early October in the central town of Pont-Sonde, with a death toll of 115 civilians and dozens more injured. The escalating insecurity has also affected international entities. This week, two armored vehicles belonging to the US embassy were targeted by gang members, though fortunately, no injuries were reported. Additionally, a bullet-struck helicopter operated by the World Food Program (WFP), a United Nations agency, managed to land safely despite being under siege while flying over Port-au-Prince. Miraculously, all 18 on board were unharmed.
Waanja Kaaria, the World Food Program Director for Haiti, underscored the severity of the situation in a Friday press conference. “Uncertainty in Haiti continues while the ramping violence of armed groups and food insecurity continues to plant Haiti into a spiral crisis that requires urgent attention," Kaaria highlighted. A recent report from the WFP painted a grim picture, revealing that around 5.4 million Haitians — approximately half the population — are grappling with acute hunger.
As Haiti teeters on the brink of profound crisis, the international community is called to not only recognize the dire situation but also act with urgency. The decisions by JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, along with the daily experiences of ordinary Haitians, underscore the palpable insecurity permeating life in Haiti and the pressing need for effective, immediate intervention.
