Haiti's Prime Minister Garry Conille has initiated trips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kenya to request security assistance in response to escalating gang violence.

Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille commenced a journey to the United Arab Emirates and Kenya on Saturday to seek security assistance following one of the deadliest gang attacks that Haiti has experienced in recent years.

The nation is grappling with the aftermath of a brutal assault by members of the Gran Grif gang, who invaded the town of Pont-Sonde in the western Artibonite region early Thursday morning. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 70 individuals, including infants, and led to the displacement of more than 6,000 residents.

The massacre has sparked widespread outrage and disbelief, even in a country that has unfortunately become accustomed to episodes of violence. The situation has been exacerbated by a national police force that is both outgunned and understaffed. "As you can see, we are being attacked on several fronts," Conille stated during a press conference prior to his departure.

The United Nations Security Council recently authorized the extension of a multinational security force’s mandate for another year, aimed at assisting local police in their efforts to combat gang activity and restore law and order. However, the mission has struggled to make significant strides in reestablishing order in Haiti, with only approximately 400 police officers, primarily from Kenya, currently deployed on the ground.

"One of the aims of this trip is to engage with President (William) Ruto in Kenya to discuss how we can expedite the deployment of the remaining Kenyan troops to further support our national police force," Conille explained. He also indicated that he would engage with his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates regarding strategies to secure consistent support for the Haitian national police in their battle against insecurity.

In a visit on Friday, Conille, accompanied by heavily armed police officers, met with patients in a hospital who were receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the attack. He assured them that reinforcements were on their way from the capital, Port-au-Prince. Additionally, a spokesperson for Haiti's national police confirmed on Friday evening that the police director responsible for the Artibonite department had been replaced.

Gran Grif is recognized as the largest gang operating in Haiti's Artibonite region, a vital area known for its extensive rice fields, according to security analysts. The gang's leader, Luckson Elan, stated that the attack was a retaliatory action against civilians who remained passive while police and vigilante groups targeted his gang members.

The recent wave of violence serves as a stark indication of the deteriorating conflict in Haiti, where armed gangs have taken control of much of Port-au-Prince and are extending their influence into surrounding areas. This has exacerbated hunger issues and rendered hundreds of thousands homeless.

Despite promises of international support, aid has yet to materialize, and neighboring countries have continued to deport migrants back to Haiti. Consequently, the number of individuals internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict has surged beyond 700,000, nearly doubling within a six-month period.