The government of Haiti has announced the approval of a special budget of $275,000, referred to as a war budget, aimed at addressing the growing security crisis caused by gang violence. A significant portion of this budget, nearly 40%, is allocated to bolster the country’s police and military in their fight against armed groups that threaten national stability. Additionally, almost 20% of the funds will be used to strengthen the shared border with the Dominican Republic.
The remaining 16% of the budget will be dedicated to social programs, with a particular focus on education, health, and humanitarian assistance. This effort reflects the commitment of Haiti’s interim government to take decisive action in response to rising insecurity, although it is not expected to resolve the resource shortages faced by a UN-backed mission led by the Kenyan police.
The situation is critical, with gangs controlling at least 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and attacking surrounding communities. Recently, a coalition of gangs known as Viv Ansanm took control of the towns of Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau, leading to the evacuation of staff and patients from the Mirebalais University Hospital and resulting in the deaths of at least 60 people.
The attacks have been devastating, with gangs setting fire to police stations and facilitating the mass escape of prisoners. In Saut-d’Eau, the redeployment of law enforcement forces to Mirebalais has left the town vulnerable, according to activists. The lack of a coordinated state response has exacerbated the crisis and caused police forces to act reactively, without clear strategic direction.
Ongoing violence has resulted in more than 1,500 murders in Haiti since the beginning of the year, along with over 572 injuries, according to the UN mission. Furthermore, gang violence has left more than a million people homeless in recent years.
The Human Element Explored
The situation in Haiti serves as a grim reminder of how a lack of security and violence can destabilize a nation and impact the daily lives of its citizens. For communities living under the constant fear of gang violence, the effects are felt in various ways: from forced displacement to interruptions in essential services such as education and healthcare. Insecurity restricts mobility, affects the mental well-being of the population, and diminishes economic opportunities.
The new budget, while well-intentioned, may not be sufficient to restore calm in a country where government infrastructure is already weak. Without a strategic and coordinated response, efforts to improve security may prove futile. This highlights the need for broader and sustained intervention, both at the national and international levels, to address not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of violence in Haiti.
