Haiti continues to be a site of relentless violence, as four vehicles carrying Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières in French) teams were attacked at the gates of Port-au-Prince by armed gangs controlling the capital. The organization reported that, fortunately, there were no casualties, although some staff members sustained minor injuries.
The evacuation of personnel had been planned due to the deteriorating security conditions which forced the NGO to suspend activities at the Turgeau medical center. Despite prior coordination with authorities, the convoy was still targeted by gunfire. This highlighted how even healthcare workers are not immune to clashes between armed groups and security forces.
The situation in the neighborhood has drastically worsened since the end of February, and in recent days the tension has further escalated, with gangs positioning themselves just meters away from the facility, threatening to turn it into a battlefield.
In response to this escalation, Doctors Without Borders made the difficult decision to cancel all operations in the area to ensure the safety of both staff and patients. The project coordinator strongly condemned the attack and reiterated the urgent need to protect healthcare workers, medical facilities, and patients. However, he confirmed the organization’s commitment to reopening the hospital as soon as conditions allow.
The forced withdrawal of the NGO represents a heavy blow for a population already suffering from an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, now further aggravated by insecurity and a lack of access to essential medical care.
