Haiti Protection Analysis Update

In 2021, the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince experienced an unprecedented and rapid expansion of gang violence which aggravated the humanitarian crisis endured by the country. According to estimates, between 1 million and 3.5 million people have borne the brunt of this violence and have seen their protection
situation worsened. In light of the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, OHCHR, the co-lead of the Protection sector in Haiti, with the support of OCHA, carried out a preliminary protection assessment in November-December 2021.

The overall objective of this assessment was to establish the impact of growing armed violence on the protection situation of people living in gang-controlled areas and beyond. More than 50 interlocutors were interviewed including victims, representatives of the government, international organisations, international non-governmental organisations, national service providers and civil society.

Citizens are suffering from direct physical and mental harm as a consequence of gang-armed violence,
which has also infiltrated the local economy and taken control of basic services. The protection analysis report highlights five priority risks:

1. Casualties and kidnapping
2. Sexual and gender-based violence
3. Violence-induced displacement and control of freedom of movement
4. Severe impact of access to basic services
5. Infiltration of local economy