Ongoing Unrest in Haiti Leads to Fear and Helplessness as Families in Florida Struggle to Stay in Touch with Those on the Island

As violence continues to spiral in Haiti, residents of Florida are becoming increasingly worried about the safety of their families and friends on the island. Many are reporting that their loved ones are confined to their homes, unable to venture outside due to the escalating unrest caused by armed gangs and widespread attacks.

Cosy Joseph, from Boynton Beach, is the founder of the Gaskov Clerge Foundation, an organisation that has been providing healthcare, education, and sports programmes both in Haiti and the United States for over 20 years. He shared his despair over the situation, stating, “I’ve never seen Haiti like this… never so much devastation. I’ve never felt so helpless and hopeless.”

Approximately a month ago, heavily armed gangs launched a series of violent attacks across the country, targeting prisons, police stations, and even the international airport in Port-au-Prince. These criminal groups also expanded their reach to wealthier neighbourhoods and other districts in the capital. As a result, countless lives have been lost, and thousands have been displaced, further heightening fears of widespread hunger.

Joseph explained the dire situation his family faces in Port-au-Prince: “My family is basically imprisoned in their own homes. They can’t leave because it’s simply not safe. Nobody wants to live like this, and it’s heart-wrenching for all of us. Almost every Haitian, whether abroad or on the island, is affected by this crisis.”

In response to the escalating violence, both the U.S. State Department and the Florida Department of Emergency Management have organised evacuation flights to bring U.S. citizens safely back to Florida. Since the violence began, over 200 people have been flown out of Haiti, seeking refuge from the dangerous conditions.