Haiti Unveils “War Budget” To Tackle Gangs

person's arm with handcuffs in front of the flag of Haiti

Haiti’s desperate government approves a “war budget” to combat gang takeovers as the nation loses over 85% of its capital to armed criminals and witnesses more than 1,500 deaths in the first three months of 2024 alone.

Key Takeaways

Haiti’s government has approved a $275,000 “war budget” with nearly 40% allocated to security forces fighting gang violence that now controls 85% of Port-au-Prince
Recent gang expansion has overcome towns in Haiti’s central region, including Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau, where police stations were burned and mass prison breaks occurred
From January through March, gang violence claimed over 1,500 lives and injured 572 people, with human rights groups criticizing the government’s delayed and inadequate response
The UN-backed Kenyan police mission lacks sufficient resources to effectively combat the growing crisis that has left over 1 million Haitians homeless
Beyond security, the budget allocates 20% to border security with the Dominican Republic and 16% to critical social programs addressing education, health, and humanitarian assistance

Gang Violence Overwhelms Haiti’s Security Forces

Haiti’s government has taken emergency measures by approving a $275,000 “war budget” as gangs continue their relentless takeover of the troubled Caribbean nation. The budget comes as the Viv Ansanm gang coalition seized control of key towns in Haiti’s central region, including Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau, forcing police and prison staff to flee. Nearly 40% of the budget is designated for police and military operations, reflecting the dire security situation where armed gangs now control approximately 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The recent expansion of gang territory has dealt devastating blows to Haiti’s fragile security infrastructure. The takeover of Mirebalais featured a direct assault on law enforcement, with gang members setting fire to the police station and orchestrating a mass prison escape. The attacks resulted in at least 60 deaths, including gang members and escaped inmates. Two nuns and one police officer were killed during the violence, while two journalists remain missing. The UN-backed Kenyan police mission, meant to reinforce local authorities, has struggled due to insufficient resources and the overwhelming strength of the gang coalitions.

Budget Allocation and Border Security

Beyond the immediate security concerns, Haiti’s war budget strategically allocates funds to address multiple aspects of the crisis. Approximately 20% of the budget is earmarked for strengthening the border with the Dominican Republic, which has become a critical passage for weapons trafficking and criminal elements. This allocation acknowledges the regional dimensions of Haiti’s security challenges and aims to stem the flow of illegal activities across the porous border. The Dominican Republic has recently reinforced its own border security due to concerns about spillover violence.

An additional 16% of the budget is directed toward crucial social programs focusing on education, health services, and humanitarian assistance. This component recognizes that Haiti’s crisis extends beyond security, affecting every aspect of daily life for citizens. With over one million people displaced by gang violence in recent years according to UN estimates, the humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic levels. The budget aims to demonstrate the state’s commitment to addressing these growing concerns, though many observers question whether the allocated funds are sufficient given the scale of the crisis.

Criticism of Government Response

Human rights organizations have expressed strong disappointment over what they describe as the government’s inadequate and delayed response to the expanding violence. The National Human Rights Defense Network specifically criticized authorities for lacking a strategic approach to the gang takeovers. Their reports indicate that civilian self-defense groups and community leaders had repeatedly warned of imminent attacks in the central region, but these warnings went unheeded. The fall of Saut-d’Eau on April 3rd might have been preventable if resources had been properly distributed.

“By ignoring the (central region’s) collapse, the transitional authorities show they have no real plan to restore citizens’ rights and public safety,” the network said.

The statistics paint a grim picture of Haiti’s deteriorating security situation. From January 1 to March 27 of this year alone, more than 1,500 people were killed and 572 injured due to gang violence. One particularly brutal attack in late January in Haiti’s capital resulted in 260 deaths. Additional attacks have occurred in Kenscoff and Carrefour, demonstrating the gangs’ expanding reach and operational capacity. Despite the new budget allocation, questions remain about whether these funds will arrive in time to make a meaningful difference in stemming the tide of violence that has plagued the nation for years.