Doctors Without Borders made the tough decision to close its hospital in a disadvantaged area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after a challenging 24 hours of treating patients with gunshot wounds and providing shelter to numerous residents amidst the risk of stray bullets. The decision was described as difficult by Davina Hayles, the organization’s head of mission in Haiti, who expressed the dilemma of leaving behind patients in need.
The evacuation of the hospital in the Cité Soleil neighborhood was prompted by escalating violence between rival gang factions outside the facility. This surge in gang activity in Haiti’s capital led to hundreds of individuals fleeing their homes, seeking safety from the unrest that has plagued the city since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.
The deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince, where gangs now control over 90% of the area, has further compounded the challenges faced by the population. With the assassination of the president, Haiti has been left without a leader, and the insecurity has raised doubts about the feasibility of holding scheduled elections in August.
During the heightened violence over the weekend, Doctors Without Borders staff treated more than 50 individuals with gunshot injuries within a span of 12 hours. The hospital became a refuge for over 800 people, including women, children, and expectant mothers evacuated from another medical facility. The overwhelming conditions and the threat of stray bullets led the organization to cease operations at the hospital.
Patients were transferred to alternative healthcare facilities by ambulance, and MSF staff and their families were relocated to a secure location. The remaining individuals seeking shelter were later escorted to a nearby roundabout for safer transportation options. Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the lack of support for those affected by the ongoing violence in the neighborhood.
The closure of the hospital adds to the challenges faced by Haiti’s already fragile healthcare system, with reports indicating that a significant percentage of healthcare facilities in Port-au-Prince have shut down. The situation has been exacerbated by the departure of the remaining members of a Kenyan-led mission in Haiti and the restructuring of a UN-supported force aimed at restoring security in the country.
Despite the current obstacles, Doctors Without Borders plans to return to Cité Soleil once conditions improve. A small team has been left on-site to monitor the situation, but the ongoing sound of gunshots near the hospital underscores the persistent threat of violence in the area.
