UN: Haiti Gang Crisis Leaves at Least 5,700 Dead or Wounded

At least 5,700 people have been killed or wounded in Haiti's gang violence crisis this year, according to UN human rights chief Volker Turk, who warned that the actual toll is likely higher.

At least 5,700 people have been killed or wounded in Haiti’s gang violence crisis this year, according to United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk.

Figures compiled by the UN mission in Haiti through September 11 also recorded more than 1,000 women and girls raped and 230 kidnappings, Turk said. He cautioned that the reported numbers do not capture the full scale of the violence, saying the real figures are likely much higher.

Gangs continue to expand

Turk said armed gangs had continued to adapt and extend their reach despite the deployment of an international security force intended to help Haitian authorities restore order.

He said there had been some success in containing gang activity in parts of Port-au-Prince. However, he warned that gangs were emerging in new areas and continuing to rearm.

“Despite some success in containing their activity in parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, gangs continue to adapt and expand, re-emerging in new areas and constantly rearming,” Turk said.

The Gang Suppression Force was intended to reach 5,500 personnel but had about 1,500, leaving it significantly below its planned strength. Turk said, “The force remains far below the strength needed.”

Casualties during security operations

Turk also raised concerns about the impact of security operations on civilians. He said more than half of all casualties since the beginning of the year occurred in the context of such operations.

According to Turk, hundreds of people were struck by stray bullets and explosive drones. He also reported that self-defence groups had killed or injured about 280 people this year.

Turk expressed “serious concerns about the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force” by Haiti’s national law enforcement and self-defence groups.

The figures presented by the UN do not provide separate totals for deaths and injuries within the 5,700-person figure. Turk’s warning that the actual toll may be higher also reflects the limits of the reported data.