Haiti: Surge in gun trafficking fuels spike in gang violence

Increasingly sophisticated and high-calibre firearms and ammunition are being trafficked into Haiti, fuelling an ongoing surge of gang violence that has plagued residents for months, according to a new UN assessment released on Thursday. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, _Haiti’s criminal markets: mapping trends in firearms and drug trafficking_ , warns that a recent increase in arms seizures alongside intelligence and law enforcement reporting, suggests trafficking of weapons is on the rise. Tweet URL > New UNODC Report: Haiti’s criminal markets: mapping trends in firearms and > drug trafficking. > > Gang-related violence in Haiti has reached levels not seen in decades, and > firearms & drug trafficking are feeding the cascading security crises. > > More: https://t.co/7C1cr3yTgz https://t.co/YRytbWB8rA > > UN Office on Drugs & Crime > > UNODC > > March 3, 2023 ## **‘Volatile situation’** “By providing a rapid assessment of illicit firearms and drug trafficking, this UNODC study seeks to shed light on the **trafficking flows enabling gangs in Haiti** and fuelling further violence in a volatile and desperate situation to help inform responses and support to the people of Haiti,” said Angela Me, Chief of the UNODC Research and Trend Analysis Branch. ## **Gang violence fuelling cholera** Gang-related violence in Haiti has **reached levels not seen in decades** , the UN Secretary-General stated in his January report to the Security Council \- compounding the severity of a cholera outbreak, **increasing food insecurity, displacing thousands** , and keeping children out of school. At the same time, the incidence of **homicides, kidnappings, and displacement is rising** across Haiti, which is suffering the worst human rights and humanitarian emergency in decades. Authorities reported **2,183 homicides and 1,359 kidnappings** in 2022, almost double the number of cases for the previous year. ## **Porous borders** As the UNODC assessment has shown, **Haiti remains a trans-shipment country** for **drugs -** primarily cocaine - and cannabis entering via boat or plane at public, private, and informal ports, as well as **clandestine runways**. Haiti’s **porous borders** – including 1,771 kilometres of coastline and a 392-kilometre land border with the Dominican Republic – are severely challenging the capacities of the **under-resourced and under-staffed national police** , customs, border patrols and coast guard, who are themselves targeted by gangs, UNODC said.  UNODC Indicative volume of firearms seized by source in Haiti (2020-2022). The assessment also provides an **overview of international, regional, and national responses** to date, including efforts to increase support to Haiti’s law enforcement and border management. It also **spotlights the need for** comprehensive approaches encompassing **investments in community policing** , criminal justice reform, and **anti- corruption investigations**.

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