Haiti has declared a nationwide state of emergency in response to escalating gang violence that has plagued the country.

This announcement comes just ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Haiti, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

In an effort to reclaim territories from gangs, Prime Minister Garry Conille has initiated plans to distribute materials and weapons to the Haitian army and national police.

The ongoing violence and instability have led to severe humanitarian challenges, with millions of Haitians facing hunger.

Currently, nearly 5 million people are affected by food shortages, exacerbated by the violence that has displaced almost 600,000 individuals.

In mid-2024, a contingent of 400 Kenyan police officers was deployed to Haiti, with additional troops from other nations expected to follow, although their arrival remains pending.

The U.S. has emerged as the largest donor to a UN-supported security mission aimed at combating gang violence, which was requested by former Prime Minister Henry in 2022.

The mandate for this UN security mission is set to expire at the beginning of October 2024, raising concerns about the future of security efforts in Haiti.

Gangs have gained significant control over much of Port-au-Prince and are expanding their influence into surrounding regions.

The state of emergency, initially declared in March 2024 by former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, has been renewed multiple times due to the worsening situation.

The emergency measures have been extended to various affected areas, including Artibonite, Centre, and Nippes departments, as the government seeks to regain control.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Conille emphasized that the state of emergency aims to restore order in regions dominated by violent gangs.