Crisis in Haiti Timeline

by | Apr 8, 2024 | Programs

What events led to this major crisis in Haiti? How did the country reach this critical point in time? Read a brief timeline of events over the last several years tracking the devastating situation in Haiti.

 

2021

 

  • In July, President Jovenel Moise is assassinated in his home.

 

  • Newly appointed Prime Minister Ariel Henry becomes the de facto leader of Haiti.

 

  • The assassination triggers a spiral of gang violence, centered in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. 

 

2022

 

  • Haitian government announces the end to a fuel subsidy program, dramatically increasing the cost of fuel in Haiti.

 

  • A coalition of gangs block a major fuel terminal in Port-au-Prince for more than a month to protest the plan to cut fuel subsidies, causing a humanitarian crisis.

 

  • Haiti’s government formally requests a multinational force be deployed to help its police restore control of the capital at UN meeting.

 

2023

 

  • In January, the last 10 democratically elected officials (senators) depart after their terms end, leaving Haiti void of any elected officials.

 

  • Gang violence and kidnappings continue to grow in Port-au-Prince.

 

  • New cholera outbreak affects many areas of Haiti.

 

  • Prime Minister again calls on UN for urgent deployment of multinational force to quash gang violence.

 

  • In August, mountain gangs come into our area of rural Haiti causing the entire community of Williamson to flee.

 

  • In October, UN Security Council approves deploying 1,000 police officers from Kenya to Haiti. 

 

2024

 

  • Prime Minister Henry flies to Kenya in February to sign an agreement for a Kenyan peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

 

  • While Henry is out of the country, gangs collaborate to take control of airports and call for Henry’s resignation. Gangs orchestrate a mass prison break, releasing nearly 4,000 prisoners. Gang control in PAP increases to 80%; chaos and violence ensue as people flee.

 

  • Haiti institutes a state of emergency and curfew.

 

  • On March 12, Henry agrees to resign when a transitional council is in place and Kenya pauses peacekeeping mission to Haiti.

 

  • CARICOM works to put together a transitional presidential council tasked with selecting an interim prime minister for Haiti.

 

  • UN releases a report stating that 1.4M people are “a step away from famine” after gangs block a major port.

 

  • In April, gangs continue to cause major disruptions by closing shipping ports, airports, banks, hospitals, highways, and more.

 

 

With your help, World Wide Village will continue to serve the people of Haiti through education, healthcare, emergency food and rent assistance, and so much more. Thank you for standing with our friends in Haiti during their darkest days. Please continue to pray for this country in turmoil. 

 

If you feel called to help, consider joining The Cornerstone Club by giving monthly where needed most.

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