Haiti crisis: Kenyan police deployed to tackle powerful gangs

Gang violence on average killed or injured more than one person per hour in the first three months of this year, according to UN data.

Close to 600,000 Haitians have been forced from their homes, according to the UN’s migration agency.

Schools and police stations have in some places been turned into shelters by families fleeing the violence.

Haiti’s police force has just 9,000 officers. By contrast, it is estimated that as many as 8,000 Haitians belong to 200 or so armed gangs – with roles ranging from commanders to informants. Recruitment has increased in recent years.

The gangs now have as much firepower as the police, says Emmanuel Paul, a security adviser who works with humanitarian groups in Haiti.

“Virtually the same types of weapons are used on both sides – classic assault rifles, AK-47 Kalashnikovs of various makes,” he tells the BBC.

Columbia’s President Gustavo Petro has even accused the military in his country of selling missiles and ammunition to armed men, who could have smuggled them into Haiti.