Deadly landslides and floods ravage northern Haiti, killing 13 and displacing thousands

At least 13 people have lost their lives in northern Haiti over the past couple of days due to floods and landslides triggered by severe rainfall that has also left thousands of homes destroyed or severely damaged. The most significant impact was felt in Cap-Haïtien, where a landslide caused by torrential rains demolished multiple homes.

The destruction peaked on Thursday, May 2, 2024, when intense rainfall led to the collapse of a home in Barrière Bouteille, a southern district of Cap-Haïtien. The collapse initiated a deadly chain reaction that demolished two additional residences downhill, marking one of the most severe incidents in recent weeks.

Haiti’s Civil Protection office has reported that in total, 2 225 homes were flooded and 15 suffered extensive damage.

Regions across Haiti have experienced adverse weather over the past month, but Cap-Haïtien, the nation’s second-largest city, has been particularly hard hit.

The city has become a refuge for many fleeing ongoing violence and political instability in Port-au-Prince, compounding local resources and infrastructure already stretched thin by an influx of displaced populations. This escalation in migration is occurring as gangs continue to destabilize the capital, with violent attacks aimed at toppling the government since February 29.

Agricultural sectors in rural areas near Cap-Haïtien have also been hit hard, with significant losses reported in livestock and crop destruction, particularly in Cerca la Source in central Haiti.

According to the Civil Protection office, regions like Grand’Anse, Nippes, South, Southeast, West, and Center have suffered the most, with additional casualties including two women and a child from the northwest, who died between April 26 and 28 due to similar weather-related disasters.

De fortes pluies ont frappé le Nord-Ouest du 26 au 28 avril, causant inondations et glissements de terrain.

: 3 morts, dont 1 enfant et 2 femmes, et des dégâts considérables. pic.twitter.com/N2YNd69XKf

— Pwoteksyon sivil (@Pwoteksyonsivil) April 29, 2024

This is Haiti. It’s flooded with raw sewage yes human shit there mountains of garbage. This is what the world doesn’t see they have polluted every part of Haiti and we haven’t even begun to talk about the toxic cancerous chemicals #Haiti #dominicano pic.twitter.com/yyssuCDefm

— Trades (@haitiansRdirty) May 3, 2024

This series of events comes at the onset of Haiti’s rainy season, coinciding with a critical period of political turmoil and escalating gang violence. The crisis is compounded by the closure of Port-au-Prince’s main airport to commercial traffic since March 4, following security concerns that led major airlines to halt operations. This closure, alongside halted seaport activities, has severely disrupted the delivery of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and humanitarian aid, resulting in widespread shortages across the country.

The United Nations has reported a dramatic increase in internal displacement, with over 90 000 people forced to leave their homes in the capital alone.

The resurgence of cholera has further complicated the situation, with the World Health Organization documenting 82 875 suspected cases since its return in October 2022 — a new peak for the country.

Despite the urgent need for international assistance, a U.N. plea for $674 million in aid has seen less than 8% of the funds raised.

References:

¹ At least a dozen killed in northern Haiti as heavy rains flood thousands of homes – Miami Herald – May 3, 2024

² 13 killed as heavy rains unleash landslide in Haiti, force planes near Puerto Rico to land elsewhere – AP – May 3, 2024

Featured image credit: Protection Civile Haiti