The Rise of Crisis in Haiti

By James Lee, 2024 Overall 1st Place Prize Winner (High School Division)

People march as tires burn during a protest against insecurity, August 7, 2023, near the prime minister's official residence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP/GETTY

In the last year, “more than 33,000 people have fled their homes in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, amid ongoing gang violence which has plunged the crisis-stricken nation into yet more chaos.” Haiti, a country in the Caribbean Sea, is currently under the control of heavily armed gangs; with 80% of the country being taken over, many Haitians are in desperate need of assistance [1]. The violence began when gunmen targeted police stations and the main international airport. This was done as control of the airport meant that Prime Minister Ariel Henry could not return [6]. This was seen as a protest against the unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry [1]. The gangs occupying Haiti carry out unspeakable acts of violence against citizens and farmers, and have increasingly made political demands, such as the resignation of Prime Minister Henry [2]. Amidst this turmoil, the question remains: What led to the current chaotic and violent situation in Haiti? While there may be various factors for the situation in Haiti, the most substantial event that led to a surge in the number of gangs can be traced back to the devastating earthquake in 2010. 

On January 12, 2010, a large-scale earthquake devastated the West Indian island of Hispaniola, comprising the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This massive earthquake took the lives of more than 300,000 people, damaging infrastructure, medical centres and roadways, making it one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history [3]. In response to this disaster, millions of people around the world donated and contributed to Haiti’s earthquake relief by providing aid and donations. Among the many fundraisers, the American Red Cross was able to raise almost half a billion dollars through widespread attention around the globe [4]. However, although the charity claimed they would help the Haitians get back on their feet, almost all of the money “disappeared.” The charity claims that they have used the funds to provide homes for 130,000 displaced Haitians, but the number of permanent homes they built with the money raised is a paltry six [4]. This led many donors to believe that the money was spent elsewhere, instead of helping the people, as thousands were still without proper safety or care.

Concerns arose among skeptical donors and Haitians, since the Red Cross did not divulge what they specifically did with the funds, further adding to the suspicion that the handling of the money was mismanaged. The funds from the Red Cross was aimed to “help Haitians rebuild, but after five years the Red Cross' legacy in Haiti is not new roads, or schools, or hundreds of new homes.” The lack of infrastructure re-established after the earthquake has led to the problems Haiti faces now, as the government struggled to provide aid and assistance for the victims of the earthquake in a reasonable timeline, and left opportunities for gang members to create a crisis.

Additionally, Haiti’s weakened infrastructure from the earthquake serves as a contributor to the gang crisis currently plaguing the country. Comprising a lack of public services, inadequate utility centres, and security and law enforcement, Haiti’s basic infrastructure is non-existent or in poor condition, making it difficult for inhabitants to “conduct business, access markets, and attract investment [5].” The misuse of aid money and lack of decisive action by the government to rebuild Haitian infrastructure has paved the way for gangs to assert control over the country, compounding the nation’s vulnerability to gang violence. 

The earthquake of 2010 is a major contributor to the current instability plaguing Haiti. Had the government taken swift action with the money raised to reestablish order and stability, Haitians would have had access to shelters where they could seek refuge, and eventually rebuild and regain vital infrastructure. The government could have invested money to provide people with more security, infrastructure and job opportunities in an attempt to rebuild the economy and foster a sense of hope. Essentially, the money raised and donated could have benefited the citizens who were devastated or heavily affected by the earthquake. Haiti’s continued struggles serve as an example of an insufficient government and how missteps with funding can lead to unfortunate consequences. Only through collective action and responsible leadership, can people around the world strive to help and build a brighter future for Haitians as well as themselves.

[1] Sky News

[2] Aljazeera

[3] Britannica

[4] npr

[5] IDB

[6] BBC