Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced on Tuesday that they are suspending operations in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, due to escalating violence and threats from the Haitian police. This suspension will last until further notice. MSF made this decision after repeated incidents of police stopping their vehicles and directly threatening their staff. Since a deadly attack on one of their ambulances last week, some MSF staff have received death and rape threats from police officers.
MSF has been one of the main providers of free healthcare in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. However, with just 24% of health facilities in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area still open, the suspension of MSF’s operations will further strain access to quality medical care. Security concerns have also been exacerbated by incidents of police threats and aggressions, including warnings of violence against staff, patients, and ambulances.
Despite their commitment to the population, MSF will not resume services until they receive assurances of security and respect from armed groups, self-defense groups, and law enforcement. The situation in Haiti has been further complicated by a civilian vigilante movement, known as “bwa kale,” which has recently fought off attempted attacks by suspected gang members in collaboration with the police.
The suspension of MSF’s operations highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where access to essential medical care remains a challenge due to violence and insecurity.
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