Group closes hospital amid gang violence

Doctors Without Borders announced Wednesday that it was forced to temporarily close its hospital in Cite Soleil given a sharp rise in gang violence that has left dozens dead in recent weeks. The slum — one of the largest in the capital of Port-auPrince — has been the site of repeated clashes between gangs.

“We are looking at a war scene just meters from our hospital,” said Vincent Harris, the aid group’s adviser.

Officials noted that large numbers of stray bullets have hit the hospital compound and that it’s nearly impossible for the sick and injured to reach the institution for care.

The organization added that, in recent days, staff at another nearby hospital have admitted up to 10 times the usual number of people with gunshot wounds.