One of the disturbing aspects of the Dominican Republic’s summary deportation of people suspected of Haitian origin on their territory is the lack of official structures to accommodate the expelled migrants at the various points on the borders. According to the UN office of migration, IOM, these thousands of migrants were deported without the possibility of recovering their belongings and goods they may have acquired on the Dominican territory. The organization said they have been providing money, clothing, and other products to several of the migrants as they arrive at the border. The presidential transition council, CPT, on the other hand is requesting the support and solidarity of the international community in the face of the multiple violations and abuses from the DR authorities, all the while asking the DR authorities to respect its international commitments, in the context of these forced repatriations, and to put an end to its brutal and racist expulsion operations. The CPT urges the Dominican State to respect the clauses of the 1999 repatriation agreement protocol and those of the various international conventions, to which it has subscribed. The CPT went further to state that in the spirit of good neighborliness policy, it remains committed to constructive dialogue through diplomatic channels. It is worth noting that the Dominican repatriation policy which began on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, anticipates repatriating 10,000 Haitian nationals a week and as of Thursday, October 10, 2024, the Dominican immigration authorities have reported expelling more than 13,703 Haitian migrants without proper documents, originating from Haiti, including Dominicans of Haitian origin. Since January 2024, approximately 195,907 Haitians have been repatriated to different points of the border.

In other news, heavy gunfire was heard along the highway near the Toussaint Louveture International airport this morning, creating a tense moment on the civil aviation runway and in Village Solidarité, where residents were forced to barricade themselves in their homes, unable to go on with their regularly daily activities. Though the source of the tension has yet to be identified, sources reveal that the gunfire was coming from the Kraze Baryè armed gang of Vitelhomme Innocent, who clashed with the police the previous day. A joint anti-gang operations by the police, PNH, and the Multinational Mission for Security Support (MMAS) in Torcelle on Saturday, October 12 and Monday, October 14, 2024, reportedly resulted in the death of 20 gang members and several wounded. The operations aimed to dismantle the Kraze Baryè gang, based in Torcelle and Pernier, according to details provided by the police. The second in command of the Kraze baryè gang, known as Deshommes, was reportedly injured during the exchange of fire with the police. As part of the operation, firearms, ammunition, mobile phones, sensitive materials, and equipment were reportedly seized.

The police reported that an MSS armored vehicle had engine failure and could not be restarted despite the intervention of mechanics on site. It is not known whether the image of a burning armored vehicle that has been circulating on social media is that of the vehicle that the police are talking about. Persistent heavy gunfire has been reported in the area. Bursts of gunfire were also heard on the road to Frères, not far from the National Police Academy, with police deployed along the road to Frères, up to the gates of the Academy. The officers belonged to various units, including SWAT and UTAG, and have taken up positions in the streets, accompanied by several armored vehicles. The PNH has announced an intensification of its operations, particularly in the departments of the West and Artibonite, where gangs remain very active.

While on the topic of violence, the US government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the health care system in the country in order to alleviate the suffering caused by the gang violence and the ongoing multidimensional crises. This reaffirmation came during a visit to the country this past Thursday, October 10, 2024, by the Deputy Administration of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for Global Health, Dr. Atul Gawande. In his interaction with the health authorities in the country, he said that as the result of the enormous pressures facing the Haitian health system, USAID reiterated its determination to ensure, alongside Haitian stakeholders, that essential health services continue to reach the population, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. While in the country on the occasion of the on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the USAID official visited the l’Hôpital universitaire de La Paix (HUP), to observe the critical work being done to provide health care amid widespread insecurity and instability, and to see firsthand the only major public hospital and referral center providing essential care to those in need, that has remained open throughout the crisis. He then praised HUP’s continued operations as vital not only to preserve health in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, but also to maintain a vital link in the national health system during these difficult times. He commended the staff of the U.S. Embassy, ​​implementing partners at USAID and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) for their continued efforts to maintain health services during these difficult times. The ongoing gang violence has driven more than 40% of the country’s healthcare workers to flee the country. 

Finally, Haitian cocoa will be featured at this year’s World Chocolate fair, Salon Mondial du Chocolat, which will be held at the Porte de Versailles in Paris from October 30 to November 3, 2024. The objective of the Haitian delegation at this show is to exhibit and sell cocoa products and their derivatives, on the one hand, and to bear witness to the wealth and opportunities linked to this culture, on the other. The fair will showcase, exhibit, and promote Haitian cocoa to the world and also through participation, the Haitian delegate will deliver a message of resilience and hope, demonstrating the determination of Haitian producers to keep this sector alive, despite the many challenges they face, particularly those related to the difficult conditions of Haitian agriculture. The Haitian delegation will comprise of six (6) companies in the sector, whose participation is made possible by the international labor organization, ILO, through the Strengthening Agricultural Opportunities through Training and Technological Investment (PROFIT) project, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The companies making the trip to Paris include Kaleos SA, Kaûna Choco, l’Association des femmes solidaires de Dame-Marie (AFESDAM), la Plateforme des coopératives agricoles de la Grand-Anse (PLACAGA), Azaka and Geonova. The port authority, L’Autorité Portuaire Nationale (APN), announced that the resumption of port activities in Port-au-Prince is set for Friday, October 18, 2024. The port will be accessible for the ferrying of goods on this date.