Haiti Crisis Worsens as Severe Rains and Floods Kill 15 People While Gang Violence Continues

The Haiti Crisis continues as heavy rains and massive floods add to the country's growing list of problems that include gang violence and a cholera outbreak.

Over the weekend, the Caribbean country was hit with torrential rains that caused widespread flooding and several landslides. Rivers also overflowed, with brown waters flooding into Haiti's streets, according to ABC News.

These massive floods have forced almost 13,400 people all around Haiti to evacuate, as hundreds of homes were consumed by the rising flood waters. Over 7,400 families reported damage, with officials still assessing how much impact the nonstop rains have done.

So far, there are reportedly 15 dead, with seven people still considered missing as floods sweep across the country.

Significant damage to crops has been reported in the country's central region. This came at a bad time for the country, which is suffering from starvation due to the ongoing crisis.

Local governments around the country are now working with international organizations to respond to the needs of those affected by the floods, according to Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Haiti has been in a perpetual state of crisis ever since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Governmental institutions have weakened, and lawlessness has hampered the country as gangs slowly take over.

Nonstop Rain Pounding Haiti Since June 1

Images and videos of streets being flooded with waist-deep waters and cars being swept away are making their rounds on the internet as the crisis-hit Caribbean nation braces for even more.

Marcelin Esterlin, the director general of the Hydro-meteorological Unit, stated that the country has been experiencing nonstop torrential downpours since June 1, and it is expected to continue this week. Up to 65% rain is expected on Monday and may even get worse on Tuesday, as another 85% is expected.

"We had planned a situation where we would have three to five days of rain. It started on June 1 and will continue, Esterlin told The Loop Caribbean News. "This is not a situation that will improve in the coming hours because we have compact rain cells that have settled in the West and South-East departments."

Vigilantes Strike Back Against Haiti Gangs

Meanwhile, as rain rips through Haiti, the main cause of the country's problems, the ongoing gang wars being fought throughout the capital, Port-au-Prince, has caught an enormous setback as citizens start fighting back.

A movement has sprung in Haiti in response to gangs invading neighborhoods, and it is called "bwa kale" or "peeled wood" in Haitian Creole. It is street slang that insinuates male dominance and power and has resulted in vigilantes killing at least 164 people since April.

One of the community leaders fighting back against these gangs, identified as Leo, spoke with the Associated Press and said, "If you're not from here, we're going to kill you."

Gangs now control an estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince's territory, with communities desperately arming themselves to stop these lawless gangs from taking over. In Leo's Turgeau neighborhood, there were banners that read, "We are tired of the kidnapping," and "Watch out for one another."

It, along with other neighborhoods, has also erected barricades, and people must show IDs in order to get in. Bags are also searched, and people are required to lift their shirts to reveal any gang tattoos. Residents must also provide a password that changes every week.

READ MORE: Dominican Republic Deported 1,800 Children to Haiti - UNICEF

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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