Even before the latest wave of violence broke out, Haiti was in a socio-economic crisis. Now the situation for the most vulnerable groups is even more difficult, not least the homeless children.
The local newspaper The Haitian Times has interviewed boys who live in the middle of the violence but long for a better life.
18-year-old Ando Michel earns a living by washing cars, but he really wants to study.
- When I get older, I don't want to have to tell my children that I only passed the eighth grade, he says.
The number of so-called "street children" is increasing in some areas of Haiti, but the authorities do not have sufficient resources to help them. Now there is growing concern that children will be drawn into gang violence.
- When I see these children, they immediately catch my attention. But without the necessary funds, it often feels like I have to close my eyes, says Jacques Pierre-Louis, head of an organization that works for children's rights in Haiti.
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Violence spreads in Haiti: "There was nothing we could do"
The violence in Haiti has so far been concentrated in Port-au-Prince, but now it is spreading to the suburbs of the capital. AP's reporters on the ground testify to several deaths and gangs blocking the entrances to certain areas.
Samuel Orelus, who lives in one of the suburbs, told the AP that he was unable to get to work this morning because criminals had taken control of the area.
- There were around 30 men with weapons. [...] there was nothing we could do, he says.
Reuters reports that at least 15 people were killed in attacks on Petion-Ville, an area with several fine hotels and embassies.
Violence has raged in Haiti since early March after gangs seized control of large parts of the capital and forced out Prime Minister Ariel Henry. On Wednesday, the United States announced that it is beginning the evacuation of American citizens.
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