Gangs Blockade at Major Oil Terminal Leads to Catastrophic Hunger in Haiti

An aerial image of Cite Soleil, a neighborhood near Port-au-Prince that is witnessing increased rates of violence since the gangster blockade began (Wikimedia Commons).

Due to a gang blockade at a major fuel terminal, Haiti is experiencing catastrophic hunger. The same source found that gangs have blocked the terminal in protest of government plans to decrease fuel subsidies, leading to 4 million people facing acute food insecurity and 20,000 facing famine. This attempt is the most recent effort by Haitian gangs to limit the distribution of oil. According to Forbes, the Haitian government has followed the advice of the World Economic Forum and the United Nations’ International Monetary Fund to stop subsidizing fossil fuels to reset the economy. 

Gang violence has increased after the assassination of late President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, as these groups vie for political power following his death, according to Al Jazeera.  Al Jazeera also reported that the recent blockade, which began in mid-September, has forced hospitals to decrease services, gas stations to close, and grocery stores to limit hours. 

"The gang violence has cut off the capital from the food-producing south, and that means that we have now an increase in food insecurity,” said Ulrika Richardson, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the U.N. in Haiti, according to Reuters. A UN Report has also declared that Haitian gangs have been using sexual violence to incite fear, in addition to the already present humanitarian crises. 

Certain areas of Haiti have been impacted more severely. Cite Soleil, a neighborhood near Port-au-Prince where a cholera outbreak occurred this month and where severe gang violence took place in July, has seen significant effects, according to NASDAQ. Residents have faced increasing violence as armed groups seek control, leading to difficulties in accessing essential services, said officials on Friday. 

There is no shortage of global support for the present crisis in Haiti. NASDAQ also reported that the US sent a Coast Guard vessel as well as deployed USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team. According to the Agassiz Harrison Observer, Canada has pledged to send an “assessment team” to assess the conditions in the nation as well as relay most efficient courses of action to “contribute to the international response.” The same source wrote that both Canada and the US have sent armored vehicles to Haiti.

To restore order, the UN may conduct a military intervention, said the Agassiz Harrison Observer. According to Al Jazeera, The UN Security Council contemplates sanctions against the leader of the named G-9 and Family gang, Jimmy Cherizier, if he continues to threaten the peace, security, and stability of Haiti. According to Al Jazeera, many Haitians have fled the state in recent months, and given the ongoing dangers associated with the political climate in Haiti, the UNHCR is also urging countries to not deport Haitian refugees.