Horyzon youth center in Haiti remains open

Horyzon youth center in Haiti remains open

Violence in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince has been escalating again since the end of February. Armed gangs now control much of the city, including key transportation routes and parts of the international airport. Additionally, prisons have been stormed, allowing many inmates to escape. As a result of these incidents, stores and schools remain closed and thousands of people are fleeing to other regions. In view of the escalation of violence, the government has imposed a state of emergency and a night-time curfew. The primary cause of the unrest is Haiti's current political situation: since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, the country has been ruled by Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was not elected by the people. He recently promised to organize elections by August 2025 at the latest. However, Haiti's two largest gangs have united, demanding the Prime Minister's resignation and resorting to physical, psychological, and sexual violence against civilians as a tool of control.

Although the Horyzon youth center for girls and young women is located just outside the capital in a suburb called Pétion-Ville, it is also affected by the current events due to its proximity to the city. The center was forced to close temporarily for a few days, as it was too dangerous for staff and participants to reach the facility. The team analyzes the security situation on a daily basis and decides on the opening hours of the youth center at short notice. This flexibility has allowed the center to reopen, and many activities continue despite the ongoing state of emergency. The staff are doing everything they can to provide participants with safe spaces, especially in such difficult times. As schools are currently closed, girls and young women are most at risk of becoming victims of violence and sexual crimes. At the youth center, they receive psychological and physical protection, hot meals, clean drinking water, medical care and psychosocial support. In addition, the center was able to give the participants food to take home immediately after the escalation of violence in order to provide for them and their families for the days during the state of emergency.

Despite the current situation and numerous challenges, the local project leaders remain highly motivated and committed: “We continue to stand in solidarity and remain hopeful for a better future, one where peace and justice prevail in Haiti.” Horyzon stands firmly alongside the staff and participants, maintaining close contact with those responsible on the ground.