Port-au-Prince – A tragic event unfolded on Christmas Day at the State University of Haiti Hospital as gunmen opened fire during its reopening, resulting in the deaths of two journalists and a police officer, and leaving several others injured. The attack has been attributed to members of the notorious gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm, which has been wreaking havoc across the capital.
Journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were killed during the assault, reported Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for the Online Media Collective. Other journalists present at the event, gathered to cover the emotional reopening of Haiti's largest public hospital, which had remained closed since February due to gang-related violence, also suffered injuries.
The reopening ceremony quickly devolved when gunmen began shooting at the gathered crowd, sending witnesses and reporters scattering for safety. Dimanche specified, "The attack was carried out by bandits from the coalition ‘Viv Ansanm’ at the State University of Haiti Hospital." The chaos resulted not only in fatalities but also left many others injured, with initial reports indicating seven other journalists and two police officers sustained injuries.
Local news reports captured the harrowing scenes from the hospital, illustrating panic-stricken attendees lying on the floor amid the carnage. Eyewitness accounts painted the event as shocking; photojournalist Dieugo Andre recounted, "It looked like a scary movie." The gravity of the bloodshed overwhelmed the Christmas spirit of hope and community often associated with such holiday events.
The Viv Ansanm gang coalition, notorious for its brutality, publicly claimed responsibility for the attack through videos circulated on social media. Its leader, Johnson "Izo" Andre stated they had not authorized the reopening of the hospital, highlighting the gang's grip on the city's healthcare system. This incident marks another grim chapter as gang violence continues to plague Port-au-Prince.
Leslie Voltaire, the president of Haiti’s transitional ruling council, condemned the violence, calling it “unacceptable.” He pledged to the victims' families and the public, "This attack will not stand without consequences." His remarks echoed the sentiments of many who have been grieving the deteriorated security situation as gangs like Viv Ansanm become emboldened.
Prior to this attack, the gang had already been involved in other violent incidents, including setting fire to the Bernard Mevs Hospital, Haiti’s only neurological trauma center. That attack caused extensive damage, destroying millions of dollars worth of medical equipment, including two CT scanners and multiple surgical facilities, crippling the healthcare services available to residents.
The continued instability has forced some healthcare facilities, such as Doctors Without Borders, to attempt partial reopenings, though access to care remains perilous amid the rampant violence. Authorities have faced significant hurdles as they strive to maintain and restore the nation’s medical infrastructure.
Haiti's healthcare challenges are compounded by the dire situation on the ground—over 5,000 lives lost to violence this year alone, according to United Nations data. Children have been disproportionately affected; UNICEF reported last week indicated over 1.5 million Haitian children have lost access to education due to the prevailing chaos and are increasingly at risk of being recruited by armed gangs.
With such overwhelming emergencies, officials are striving to stabilize the dire environments across various sectors, including health and safety. Recently, the main airport, Toussaint Louverture, resumed operations after a month-long closure due to gun violence targeting commercial airlines, leading to heightened security measures amid the influx of international traffic.
Despite efforts to combat this violence, the tragic shooting at Haiti's State University Hospital reveals the extent of the perilous state the country is grappling with and its dire need for restored governance and safety. Persistent attacks on journalists and healthcare officials signal the urgent necessity for both national and international resolve to reignite hope for the Haitian people, whose resilience continues to be tested under devastating circumstances.
