The City of Saint-Marc in Haiti is facing a severe humanitarian crisis as more than 750 displaced people, forced to flee gang violence, are now taking refuge in churches, schools, and public plazas. This displacement follows violent attacks by the notorious Gran Grif gang, which has been expanding its influence into nearby communities, including Pont-Sondé, where the gang recently unleashed a deadly assault.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that many displaced families are staying with relatives, but a significant number are without shelter. As local officials struggle to manage a sudden influx of people, Saint-Marc has become a flashpoint for escalating violence in Haiti’s Artibonite region.
Rise of Gran Grif
Gran Grif, a gang with around 100 members, has been accused of numerous crimes including murder, rape, robbery, and kidnapping. Its leader, Luckson Elan, and its founder, former legislator Prophane Victor, have both been sanctioned by the United States and the United Nations. Gangs have gained notoriety for committing mass kidnappings and extorting communities by imposing makeshift road tolls.
According to Haiti’s National Human Rights Defense Network, the gang’s recent attack on Pont-Sondé was in retaliation against local self-defense groups that sought to curb gang activity and prevent the group from profiting off extortion practices. Gang’s actions have left entire communities in turmoil, with many residents fearing for their lives and seeking refuge in neighboring towns like Saint-Marc.
Humanitarian Crisis and Gang Expansion
As violence escalates, the situation in Saint-Marc grows increasingly dire. Local authorities and humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide for the displaced, who are currently sleeping on floors and in open public spaces. This has prompted warnings that the Gran Grif gang is not only responsible for displacement but is also infiltrating communities surrounding Saint-Marc.
Gang’s reach has extended beyond violent attacks and kidnappings. Its influence is felt through its control of local infrastructure and resources, with a focus on generating income through criminal activity. U.N. Security Council, which sanctioned Elan, described Gran Grif as the largest and most powerful gang in the Artibonite region, responsible for the kidnapping of 157 people between October 2023 and January 2024 alone.
A Region Under Siege
Artibonite region, where Saint-Marc and Pont-Sondé are located, has become a battleground for gang control in recent years. Gran Grif’s expansion has exacerbated existing challenges faced by local authorities, who are ill-equipped to combat the group’s criminal operations. Gang’s formation, initially fueled by political motives, has transformed into a broader criminal enterprise that thrives on instability and fear.
The current crisis has further highlighted the need for international intervention and support to address the growing gang violence that continues to displace and terrorize Haitian communities. As the Gran Grif gang continues to spread its influence, the region remains on edge, with residents uncertain about what the future holds.
Conclusion
humanitarian situation in Saint-Marc is a stark reminder of the broader security crisis in Haiti, where gangs like Gran Grif wield significant power over local populations. With hundreds of people displaced and communities under siege, the Artibonite region faces an uncertain future. As international organizations and local authorities work to provide aid to those affected, the need for a long-term solution to gang violence plaguing Haiti has never been more urgent.
- The death toll in a gang attack on a small Haitian town rises to 115, a local official says The Associated Press.
- As a Massacre Unfolded, a Frantic Call: ‘Send for Help’ The New York Times
- ‘They tried to murder everyone’: Haiti reels after deadly gang attack Al Jazeera English.
