PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP/UN)— A humanitarian crisis is gripping Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, as the country experiences a dramatic rise in gang violence and insecurity. Thousands of women and girls displaced by this turmoil are now facing an alarming increase in sexual assaults, the United Nations (UN) has warned, highlighting the deplorable conditions in makeshift camps.
Dire Circumstances in Displacement Camps
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) revealed on Tuesday that women and girls in displacement sites are at heightened risk of sexual violence due to substandard living conditions. “The risk of sexual violence for women and girls in displacement sites in Haiti’s capital is rapidly rising,” noted the UNFPA in a statement, pointing to the lack of gender-separated facilities and insufficient nighttime lighting as critical issues.
In visits to 14 displacement sites, the UNFPA found that over half of the latrines and showers were not gender-separated, many showers lacked door locks, and most sites did not have adequate night lighting. These dire conditions have left many vulnerable to attacks, fostering an environment of fear and insecurity.
Heart-Wrenching Testimonies
One mother of seven, residing in a Port-au-Prince shelter, recounted her harrowing experience: “With what I’ve been through, I’d rather have died,” she said after being sexually assaulted while sleeping in a public square. Pregnant at the time of the assault, she now lives in constant fear for her 11-year-old daughter. Her experience echoes the broader suffering faced by displaced women and girls across the city.
Escalation of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
From March to May 2024, reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence surged by over 40 percent, escalating from 250 cases in January and February to more than 2,000 in the following months, as per UNFPA figures. In total, from January to May this year, 3,949 cases of gender-based violence, mainly rapes, were reported. Alarmingly, 61 percent of these victims were displaced persons, underscoring the vulnerability of those forced from their homes by gang violence.
A Call for Urgent Action
In response to this humanitarian catastrophe, the UNFPA has launched an urgent appeal for US$28 million in funding to support life-saving reproductive health services and gender-based violence interventions in Haiti throughout 2024. However, with only 19 percent of the required funding secured so far, the need for international support remains critical.
Political and Security Crisis
Haiti, often labeled as the poorest nation in the Americas, has been embroiled in political, humanitarian, and security crises for years. The situation took a turn for the worse in February when coordinated gang attacks in Port-au-Prince led to the ousting of controversial prime minister Ariel Henry.
Conclusion
As Haiti grapples with escalating violence and instability, the plight of women and girls in makeshift camps cannot be ignored. Urgent international support and intervention are essential to address the growing threats they face and improve their living conditions. Without this, thousands remain at the mercy of an unrelenting wave of sexual violence and insecurity.
This article reflects the severe impact of gang violence and poor living conditions on displaced women and girls in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and highlights the urgent need for international support and funding to address these challenges.
