Haiti - September 2022

The situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate sharply following last year’s assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Anti-government protests that broke out last August, demanding the resignation of Haiti’s caretaker prime minister, Ariel Henry, have intensified and turned violent. In response to the government’s decision to end fuel subsidies, which prompted a sharp rise in prices, public anger has increased.

Gangs have exploited the unrest and blockaded fuel supplies. Fuel shortages have impacted access to clean water and other basic services. Hospitals could be forced to close and United Nations officials warn the country is close to breaking point and ‘life-saving services risk coming to a standstill. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern about the current situation where “civil unrest has brought the country to a standstill”. Gang violence has targeted journalists throughout the year, and two media professionals were violently killed in September while reporting in an impoverished area of the capital city. Journalists covering protests have also faced harassment from police forces.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, UN News, RSF, The Washington Post