 "Haiti has been grappled with gang violence. Reuters File")
India has set up a 24-hour control room and has also released a list of emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals stuck in the violence-hit Haiti, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced on Friday.
The spokesperson said the the embassy is in constant touch with the Indian community in Haiti and will give all information and necessary assistance.
Jaiswal also said that an additional 24-hour emergency helpline has been established at the Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic, which is accredited to Haiti, and if the need arises, the government is ready to evacuate all 50 to 80 members of the Indian community from the island country.
Haiti has been engulfed in rampant gang violence and crimes over several years which has led the country into a state of political instability and chaos. The Caribbean nation declared a state of emergency last week.
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More ShortsThe surge in violence began when armed groups with its leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier launched a wave of attacks in the capital Port-au-Prince collapsing the law and order situation in the country and leading to its Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation.
Gangs set up several police stations on fire and conducted raids on two prisons that led to the escape of thousands of inmates.
As per UN estimates, almost 4,000 people were killed and 3,000 kidnapped in gang-related violence in 2023. More than 300,000 people have been displaced, at least 15,000 of them in the recent times.