In ongoing clashes among rival gangs across several neighborhoods, casualties rose to seventy deaths and forty people were wounded. The report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes that the events unfolded in Cité Soleil, Port-au-Prince, between 14 and 19 April. This assessment comes from OCHA in Haiti.
Among those killed were eighteen women and two minors, with data also indicating that twelve women sustained injuries. The security and humanitarian situation in Cité Soleil, where hundreds of thousands of residents live, has reached a troubling threshold, according to OCHA in a formal statement. The report stresses that women and children are particularly exposed to gang brutality.
The fighting is hindering freedom of movement and obstructing access to essential goods and services. It has led to the closure of numerous schools and health facilities in the area, compounding the community’s vulnerability. A humanitarian official described the situation as escalating, noting that residents feel besieged and largely unable to leave their homes due to gun violence and intimidation by armed groups. (Citation: UN OCHA Haiti, humanitarian briefing.)
Beyond direct violence, residents of Cité Soleil face severe food insecurity and the neighborhood is identified as a major epicenter of the recent cholera outbreak. Heavy rains in recent weeks have worsened health and living conditions, compounding the hardship faced by families already struggling to secure basic necessities. The community, situated along the waterfront and adjacent to the metropolitan zone of Port-au-Prince, is also overwhelmed by the accumulation of waste that blocks access roads in areas like Brooklyn, restricting the movement of people and essential supplies, including emergency fuel deliveries.
The overall situation threatens the continuity of health services and other critical infrastructure, raising concerns about the potential resurgence of epidemics. Humanitarian leaders stress the urgent need for unimpeded access to the affected population and the protection of health, education, and water systems, as well as humanitarian personnel, to ensure safe delivery of aid. Addressing the logistical challenges is essential to preserving essential services and safeguarding civilians in the area. The message emphasizes that residents deserve to live with safety and dignity, free from fear and disruption to daily life.
Amid a broader political and socioeconomic crisis in Haiti, violence has intensified over recent months, alongside the reappearance of cholera and its toll on communities. Since last October, the country has faced a troubling toll, with hundreds of reported deaths linked to the outbreak and the continuing strain on healthcare capacity. In this tense context, the Haitian government has faced calls from international observers for clear action, including discussions about external security support. The situation remains fragile as authorities and humanitarian organizations work to identify practical steps that can stabilize communities while paving the way for a more resilient recovery, even as the country seeks long-term solutions to the governance and security challenges that influence daily life in Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas.