“Some Don’t Hear From Their Family, They Have No Way To Assist Them”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Almost 5,000 people have been killed in Haiti since October 2024 and hundreds of thousands displaced as gang violence has escalated, particularly around the capital Port-au-Prince.

The startling statistics provided by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Report that was published on July 11th.

The surge in violence is deepening Haiti’s humanitarian crisis, destabilizing the country and raising concerns of spillover effects in the region.

Gangs have increasingly taken control across Haiti, overwhelming local security forces and forcing international aid organizations to scale back operations.

The crisis in Haiti has only worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise back in 2019.

And the impact is also being felt here in The Bahamas where the creole community is keeping a close eye on the situation.

President of the United Haitian and Bahamian Association, Michael Telarin says families are feeling the impact despite being hundreds of miles away.

Telarin adds the crisis adds to the burdens haitian families already face.

We’ve seen this after shantytowns have been demolished, leaving many of them homeless. In other cases, the price of a work permit, leaving families with little money to buy food and proper housing. 

Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory to Haiti. Despite the warning, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell told me today there are no plans to evacuate staff.

Our News team has repeatedly reached out to officials here at the Haitian embassy. But there’s been no response.

The silence has also been frustrating for those who think haitian officials should have more to say on the issue but Telarin has a different view.