MSF reports patients killed in Haiti ambulance attack

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a medical aid organization, has reported that a minimum of two of its patients died in Haiti following an assault on their ambulance by police and vigilantes in Port-au-Prince, the capital city. According to the charity, its teams were transporting three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds to an MSF hospital on Monday. However, they were intercepted by authorities and compelled to divert to a public hospital. Upon their arrival, the vehicle was assaulted by officers and “members of a self-defence group,” who slashed its tires and used tear-gas to force the occupants out. The charity stated that the injured patients were subsequently removed from the hospital premises, where “at least two of them were executed.” MSF’s statement does not specify the condition of the third patient. Nevertheless, the organization reported that its ambulance personnel were also subjected to assault during the incident by “law enforcement officers and members of a self-defence group.” MSF reported that its staff members were “violently attacked, insulted, tear-gassed, threatened with death,” and held captive for over four hours before their release. The reason for the assault remains unknown. Christophe Garnier, MSF’s head of mission in Haiti, commented, “The act is a shocking display of violence and it seriously calls into question MSF’s ability to continue delivering essential care to the Haitian people.” MSF, recognized internationally as Doctors Without Borders, stands as one of the few humanitarian non-government organizations (NGOs) still active in Haiti, a nation where the capital is experiencing widespread violent disorder. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, armed gangs have taken control in numerous regions, resulting in a surge of street violence within the Americas’ poorest country. During a UN Security Council briefing held last month, it was reported that criminal organizations had established control over 85% of the capital. The UN reports that over 3,600 individuals have been killed in Haiti since January, and more than 500,000 have been displaced from their residences. An international policing operation, supported by the UN and primarily composed of Kenyan police, is present in Haiti and has reportedly secured several critical locations in the capital, such as the national hospital, seaport, and airport. Nevertheless, multiple US airlines have halted flights to the country this week after three aircraft, either approaching or departing the airport, sustained gunfire hits. Haiti saw a new prime minister sworn into office earlier this week. Alix Didier Fils-Aimé declared that his primary objective is “restoring security” within the nation. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.