Haiti aid groups warn of 'worst-case scenario'

Humanitarian groups said Friday that Haiti is enduring a “worst-case scenario” as gang violence, displacement and sexual violence leave many people feeling unsafe.

Youri Saadallah of the Norwegian Refugee Council spoke after a joint visit with NGOs and UN agencies. He said the situation witnessed by the mission was “unacceptable” and that people said they no longer felt safe.

Saadallah pointed to what he called rampant sexual violence, including collective rape. He said women and girls were being targeted in the crisis.

Maria Moita, who represented the International Organization for Migration during the visit, said displacement was a major issue, affecting 1.5 million people in a country of 11 million. She said many families could not safely return because armed groups remained present and homes had been burned.

Haiti has faced years of instability as powerful gangs carry out killings, rapes, looting and kidnappings. The UN Security Council last year approved an international Gang Suppression Force tasked with neutralising armed groups, securing strategic infrastructure, helping restore public safety and creating conditions for elections.