Why did MSF temporarily close its Cite Soleil hospital?

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MSF Temporarily Closed Cite Soleil Hospital Due to Unsafe Gang Violence

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has temporarily suspended operations at its hospital in Cite Soleil, Haiti, due to escalating gang violence that has rendered the area unsafe for both patients and staff. The decision was prompted by the proximity of ongoing armed conflict, which has placed the hospital in a frontline position and led to tragic incidents, including the death of a child on oxygen. MSF has stated that while the hospital was not directly targeted, it has become a collateral victim of the intense fighting that has also forced other essential services, such as schools, to close.
Escalating Gang Violence Threatens Safety

Heavily armed gangs have recently expanded their territorial control in and around Port-au-Prince, leading to a significant increase in violence. This expansion has directly impacted the safety of civilian areas, forcing the closure of multiple schools and contributing to a rise in kidnappings. The intensification of these conflicts has created a war-like environment in Cite Soleil, a densely populated and impoverished neighbourhood, with armed confrontations occurring mere metres from the MSF facility.
Direct Impact on Patients and Staff

The unsafe conditions have had severe consequences within the hospital. Tragically, a child who was receiving oxygen therapy died in a security room, a designated safe space for patients, due to stray gunfire. Additionally, a 70-year-old man was shot and killed while attempting to cross the street near the hospital, a stark illustration of the indiscriminate nature of the violence. These incidents underscore the extreme risks faced by individuals seeking or providing medical care in the area.
Precedent of Violence Impacting Healthcare

This is not the first instance of violence disrupting MSF's operations in Haiti this year. Earlier in 2023, an MSF-supported public hospital located south of the capital was forced to close its doors after a patient was fatally shot while leaving the emergency room. Such events highlight a recurring pattern where healthcare facilities and their occupants become unintended victims of the widespread insecurity and inter-gang conflicts plaguing the country.
Commitment to Haiti and Temporary Nature of Closure

Despite the temporary closure of the Cite Soleil hospital, MSF has affirmed its ongoing commitment to Haiti and its people. The organisation indicated plans to potentially increase its medical assistance if the need arises. However, MSF stressed that maintaining operations is contingent upon ensuring the safety and security of its medical personnel and the patients they serve, making the current situation untenable for sustained operations.

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Why did MSF temporarily close its Cite Soleil hospital?

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