December 22, 2024
The Haitian Government has responded decisively to the attack on Bernard Mevs Hospital, carried out overnight from December 16 to 17 by the criminal organization “Viv Ansanm.” In an official statement, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé condemned the act as a “grave violation of human dignity and fundamental rights.” He immediately ordered emergency measures, including a permanent National Police of Haiti (PNH) presence around the hospital and the implementation of a strengthened security plan to protect critical healthcare infrastructure nationwide.
The Prime Minister also announced the immediate allocation of resources to support Bernard Mevs Hospital, which plays an essential role in providing emergency medical care. This mobilization aims to quickly restore services disrupted by the criminal attacks, which destroyed operating rooms, a scanner, and several critical vehicles. He assured that no effort would be spared to ensure the continuity of care and enhance the safety of patients and medical personnel.
This tragic event highlights the severity of insecurity in Haiti, where even humanitarian and medical facilities are no longer spared. The Government denounced these violent acts as direct attacks on the nation and reaffirmed its commitment to combat armed gangs. “There will be no respite or tolerance for those who threaten the lives and dignity of our citizens,” declared the Prime Minister, pledging decisive actions to neutralize these criminal organizations.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage, particularly because it targeted a hospital that serves everyone without discrimination. In retaliation for a police operation that neutralized five gang members, the assailants used Molotov cocktails to set fire to the facility, causing extensive damage. Despite interventions by firefighters and police, the situation remains concerning, as the attackers continue their efforts to instill fear and paralyze the country’s vital institutions.