Haitians are fleeing the violent gang-controlled Port-au-Prince through a hazardous mountain trail historically used by farmers. As gangs have seized about 90% of the capital, other escape routes by road or sea have been blocked. The footpath to the southern coast has become crucial for many seeking refuge from the urban warfare.
The situation worsened when gangs toppled the interim government in March, leading to widespread violence and the displacement of nearly 700,000 people. With the city’s roads no longer safe and the airport shut down to commercial flights, the mountain trail has become one of the only remaining escape routes. The journey is grueling and dangerous, as the path is rugged and often treacherous. Migrants often rely on costly motorbike taxis to navigate the path, further burdening their already strained resources.
This route, starting from Pétion-Ville, is not only physically challenging but also fraught with the constant threat of violence. The escalating gang activity has made this once-simple trail a crucial lifeline for those seeking to escape the escalating turmoil in Port-au-Prince.
As gangs extend their reach, the humanitarian crisis is intensifying. International and local efforts to provide relief have largely fallen short. Aid distribution has been obstructed, and gang-controlled areas make it nearly impossible for most to receive support. The trail itself, once a last hope for the displaced, is now feared to be at risk of falling under gang control, which would effectively encircle the entire city in violence.
The situation in Haiti is dire, with many fearing that without further intervention, the country’s collapse could be imminent, leading to even more devastating consequences for its people.
