Why do humanitarian groups remain in lawless Haiti?

Two American missionaries and a Haitian aid director were killed, the latest gang violence against aid groups in the Haitian capital.

Haiti's grim humanitarian situation is once again in the spotlight after gangs attacked an Oklahoma-based missionary group working in the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Thursday. killing two Americans and the Haitian director of the Missions in Haiti organization.

The attack left many people wondering why American missionaries are still working in Haiti, given the immense violence that has paralyzed the country and gangs taking over most of Port-au. -Prince. Thursday's incident follows the 2021 kidnapping of 17 missionaries who worked in Haiti with Christian Aid Ministries. Haitian gang kidnapped 16 Americans and one Canadian in attack; weeks later, 12 of the hostages escaped and the rest were freed.

Although Haiti is no stranger to violence and instability, the The situation has worsened considerably since the assassination in 2021 of the country's president, Jovenel Moïse. Since then, the state has collapsed and gangs have proliferated, filling the void.

This week's killings come as Kenyan-led forces s are preparing to arrive in Haiti in the coming months. a few weeks to confront the gangs and help stabilize the country. They are funded by the United States and other members of the international community.

The gangs now control much of the capital, including vital infrastructure, such as national highways and seaports. They are able to block imports of basic food and other essential products for a country that produces very little and depends heavily on foreign products.

What is the current humanitarian situation?

Gangs now control or can exert influence over around 90 percent of the capital, according to research groups. In many ways, Port-au-Prince is a giant open-air prison, with many of the six million residents unable to move freely, with gang violence dictating their daily lives.

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