This report is a summary of the security situation from March 1 to present
The security environment remains complex and challenging with anticipation that a further decline of the situation will continue and intensify in coming months.
Category Archives: Security Environment
Security Environment – Risks & Assumptions
Security Environment
The security environment remains complex and challenging with the anticipation that current trends and an overall decline of the situation will continue and intensify in coming months. Reports of incidents continue to surge with local medias reporting a significant increase in conflict/crime related incidents across the country over the past months.
Without a strong government, the already weak and ineffectual reach of the state, control of the police is likely to rapidly fail and new security dynamics will be presented across the country.
Risks and Assumptions
Sources of insecurity and instability in Haiti have traditionally been due to failings in governance and development progress, rather than due to outright armed conflict. It is likely that these factors will continue to shape the security environment, with more acute pressure on the government, civil service, security services and the population in general.
The primary manifestations of unrest and instability in Haiti – insofar as they might affect the population are likely to be crime including kidnapping, carjacking, robbery and civil unrest (demonstrations).
While many demonstrations are peaceful, instances of violence are recorded and the presence of military and police escorts (MINUSTAH, HNP) has a potentially ambiguous effect on the mood of crowds – in many instances succeeding in controlling outbursts while in other instances having the potential to provoke violent discontent or indignation
According to some commentators, the population of Haiti typically does not react kindly to the slowing or cessation of the democratic process, so calling elections soon would be likely to have a destabilizing effect.
Elections are scheduled to take place in August of this year in Haiti. President Martelly has recently called for assistance from the international community in arranging elections as soon as possible.
While it is also possible that there will be some improvement in the situation, the feeling is that there will first be some deterioration during the electoral process. This could take any of the following forms, or a combination of factors:
- More deficits in public services – power, water supply, leading to discontent and public unrest
- Civil disturbances- the forthcoming elections planned for this summer may lead to civil unrest, particularly in major urban centers.
- Criminal assaults on nationals and internationals – widespread possession of weapons coupled with deteriorating economic situation.
- In-country power struggles between the different parties for supremacy and control of government.
Any of the above scenarios, may lead eventually to businesses suspending activities. Prolonged suspension of work due to prolonged strikes and demonstrations, may cause most or all international businesses and NGOs to partially cease activities in Haiti, and to withdraw expatriate staff to another location.
The volume of criminal activity is likely to surpass pre-Earthquake levels in the long-term.
Security Environment – March 14, 2015
During this period, the overall security situation in Haiti is relatively stable and manageable but has the potential to deteriorate at any given time due to:
- The public response to socio economic conditions
- Increase of criminal activity
- Stalemate over the elections agenda between the Electoral Council (CEP) and the political parties
In Haiti, everyone is at risk for criminal victimization. Crime has traditionally been highest in urban areas and especially in the inner-city slums of Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. There have been reports of several religious congregations being victims of both burglary and theft throughout the country. Crimes perpetrated by minors have also been on the rise over the past months.
We acknowledged the sustained efforts of the HNP to enhance the security climate by increasing patrols and its presence on the streets which resulted in a considerable decrease in the overall number of crimes.
However, we recommend:
- That everyone keeps a vigilant posture considering that criminal gangs remain a threat to Haiti’s stability
- To avoid venturing out in areas where movements presents several safety and security risks.
Haiti Security Situation -March 9
The security situation throughout Haiti remain complex and had the potential to deteriorate at any given time due to:
- 48 hours (March 9-10) strike called by the opposition platform ” Table de concertation de l’opposition democratique”
- 2 days demonstrations (March 13, 15) called by some opposition organizations to demand the diminution of the high fuel prices and the departure of President Martelly. The also want to protest again the costs of living.
There is also clear indication of:
- ongoing complaints from business owners of extortion and harassment by criminal elements operating in areas of critical lawlessness, rife with criminality and violence.
While the number of incidents rise, targets sets and tactics remain to this point fairly consistent, murders, shootings, kidnaps and intimidation.
Target profiles have also remain constant with former GOH officials remaining prime. Direct incident involving HNP officers also increased for the past two (2) months, which on balance is in line with the increased total numbers of incidents. This has the potential to spread to international and humanitarian actors.
Tensions are also exacerbated as the number of high profile politicians and journalists have been included in a hit list.
There is a clear link between political related violence and criminal activities.
Haiti Security Environment – Public Order
This report is a summary of the security situation from March 1 to present
The security environment remains complex and challenging with anticipation of a further decline of the situation will continue and intensify in coming months. There is little evidence that the current government will be able to improve significant gaps in reach, credibility, cohesion before the elections, issues that the many political opposition leaders will seek to exploit as they endeavor to control and consolidate their own agenda and exert their influence.
Safe place to operate is by no means going to be a certain in the future and the the business community has very little in-country resilience to absorb the effect of critical events and therefore impact is likely to be high in terms of business continuity.
Haiti is rated by most foreign embassies and security analysts as presenting a high to critical level of risk to personal and operations, most analysis recommending no, or non essential travel and a high degree of caution and personal security at all times. Exclusive Analysis (CI’s risk rating tracker) rates Haiti as the high risk country in the Western Hemisphere region and the 5th highest risk rated country in the world.
Haiti Security Environment – Feb 1-13
This report is a summary of the security situation from Feb 01 to Feb 13, 2015.
The security environment in Haiti remains complex and challenging with potential for further instability in coming months. The continuous challenge against the Martelly -Paul Government could result in a period of instability. There is little evidence that the current government will be able to improve significantly the economic, social, and security situation, issues that criminal groups and corrupt politicians could seek to exploit to their advantages, hindering even the smallest improvements. Climatic changes and potential disasters will continue to be amplified by the current lack of accountability and respect of law and order.
