An act of violence of dramatic intensity struck Port-au-Prince this Tuesday, during the reopening ceremony of the State University Hospital of Haiti (HUEH), better known as the General Hospital. Seven journalists were injured in an armed attack perpetrated by gangs operating in the lower part of the city, revealing once again the alarming insecurity reigning in the Haitian capital.
The victims of this attack include recognized figures from the Haitian media world, such as Petyon Robens, Réginald Baltazar, Miracle Velondie, Florise Deronvil, Jean-Jack Aspèges, Jocelyn Justin and Rosemond Vernet. Present to cover this event of national importance, these journalists were targeted even before the arrival of the Minister of Public Health, Duckenson Lorthe Blema.
The General Hospital, a symbol of resilience and hope for many Haitians, closed its doors last March due to escalating violence in the city center. Its reopening, planned as a significant step towards the normalization of health services, has tragically transformed into a demonstration of the impunity with which armed gangs operate in more than 80% of the capital's territory.
The scene sowed panic among the participants, highlighting the impossibility for professionals, whether journalists, doctors or state representatives, to work in complete safety. This incident, unfortunately not isolated, rekindles discussions on the urgency of restoring a climate of security in the country.
National and international reactions were not long in coming. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti strongly condemned the attack, demanding better protection of medical structures and aid and media workers. Many voices are also being raised to denounce the silence of local authorities in the face of inaction in the fight against the crime which is plaguing Port-au-Prince.
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The plight of journalists in Haiti has become emblematic of a larger crisis. Threatened, attacked and often prevented from fulfilling their information mission, they operate in a climate of fear and exacerbated violence. This incident takes place in a context where media professionals are regularly targeted, illustrating the fragility of fundamental rights in the country.
For many observers, this attack on the General Hospital is further proof of the need for rapid and coordinated intervention to secure the capital. While the international community increases calls for help and initiatives, armed gangs continue to openly defy state authority, making any attempt at reconstruction extremely difficult.
The General Hospital, which was to embody a renewal for the Haitian health system, now finds itself associated with a tragedy. This event reminds us that the violence in Haiti spares no one and threatens to destroy national recovery efforts.