Doctors Without Borders closes its emergency centre in Haiti’s capital due to surge of gang violence

The international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Wednesday that ongoing violence in Haiti’s capital has forced it to permanently close its Port-au-Prince emergency care centre, a key lifeline in a city now 90% controlled by criminal gangs.

More than 60% of the capital’s health facilities, including Haiti’s general hospital, are now closed or non-functional because of the surge in gang violence.

The MSF emergency centre in the neighbourhood of Turgeau had temporarily closed in March after armed men opened fire on four of the organisation’s vehicles that were evacuating staff. Some employees received minor injuries.

“The building has already been hit several times by stray bullets due to its location close to the combat zones, which would make resuming activities too dangerous for both patients and staff,” said Jean-Marc Biquet, MSF’s head of mission in Haiti.

Read more: Euronews