大象传媒

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and, in the last 15 years, the Caribbean nation has had outbreaks of cholera, a devastating earthquake and continual political upheaval.

Last year, its president was assassinated - a crime for which no one has yet been put on trial - and since then violence in Haiti has escalated.

According to human rights groups, armed gangs now control at least 60% of the capital, Port au Prince. In October, the UN reported 200 killings and 100 kidnappings. There鈥檚 also evidence that gangs are increasingly using rape as a weapon.

Host James Reynolds hears from Haitians who are dealing with the threats and dangers affecting them, their friends and families. We speak to one woman whose daughter deliberately changes the time of her route to work daily to lessen the chance of being kidnapped as well as a man who has contributed to three ransoms to ensure the safety of family members.

Kerby, who lives in Cap-Haitien, has received several threats from armed gangs. 鈥淭hey said, if you cannot give us money every month we鈥檒l kidnap you, or your daughter, or your wife.鈥�

Haitians living in the US and the UK also discuss the difficulties of being abroad when their home country, friends and families are suffering.

(Photo: A woman breastfeeds her baby as people displaced by gang war violence in Cite Soleil rest on the streets of Delmas neighbourhood after leaving Hugo Chaves square in Port-au-Prince, Haiti November 19, 2022. Credit: Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters)