Published: TUESDAY April 7, 2026: 'BREAKING THE CYCLE: Glimmer Of Hope For Haiti' Photography and Story by ZUMA Press photographer David Allignon: Life has grown increasingly difficult in Haiti after years of political turmoil and gang terror. Dozens of armed groups run rampant in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, extorting businesses, kidnapping and driving farmers off their land. Gang leaders have historically used Vodou to solidify their power and manipulate communities through fear. Over 1.4 million people are now homeless, and deadly gang raids have left homes, schools and medical facilities in ashes. Plagued by systemic corruption and widespread gang violence, Haiti faces a deepening crisis that severely hinders economic development and stability. This situation is favorable to the gangs, who have gained power and autonomy. Now a UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) a more aggressive mission arrived in Haiti in April 2026, with 5,500 troops it aims to dismantle gangs and restore law and order. However fears of high casualties remain as escalations by gangs and the aggressive nature of the new force's mandate begins. Welcome to 'BREAKING THE CYCLE: Glimmer Of Hope For Haiti'
© zReportage.com Issue #1035 Story of the Week: Published: TUESDAY April 7, 2026: 'BREAKING THE CYCLE: Glimmer Of Hope For Haiti' Photography and Story by ZUMA Press photographer David Allignon: Life has grown increasingly difficult in Haiti after years of political turmoil and gang terror. Dozens of armed groups run rampant in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, extorting businesses, kidnapping and driving farmers off their land. Gang leaders have historically used Vodou to solidify their power and manipulate communities through fear. Over 1.4 million people are now homeless, and deadly gang raids have left homes, schools and medical facilities in ashes. Plagued by systemic corruption and widespread gang violence, Haiti faces a deepening crisis that severely hinders economic development and stability. This situation is favorable to the gangs, who have gained power and autonomy. Now a UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF a more aggressive mission arrived in Haiti in April 2026, with 5,500 troops it aims to dismantle gangs and restore law and order. However fears of high casualties remain as escalations by gangs and the aggressive nature of the new force's mandate begins. Welcome to 'BREAKING THE CYCLE: Glimmer Of Hope For Haiti'
The gangs, as seen here in a street in the La Saline district, have erected barricades at strategic streets and intersections using rubble in order to slow the advance of armored vehicles of the Kenyan police and army and, if necessary, to lay ambushes. However a UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a more aggressive mission arrived in Haiti in April 2026, with 5,500 troops it aims to dismantle gangs and restore law and order. Fears of high casualties remain as escalations by gangs and the aggressive nature of the new force's mandate begins.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
WINZOR JEAN-PHILIPPE, alias Wood, a resident of the working-class neighborhood of Pieton-Ville In Port-au-Prince, receives a visit from his mother-in-law, Marie-Edith Henri-Jean-Baptiste. The woman in her sixties explains that she must 'ride' with the spirits. 'It's not always me who decides. Sometimes it's them. They fill me, and I have to let them out.' Silently and meticulously, Marie-Edith prepares the ritual. Wood is anxious. It's the first time he has participated in a Voodoo rite.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
MARIE-EDITH HENRI-JEAN-BAPTISTE explains that she must 'ride' with the spirits. 'It's not always me who decides. Sometimes it's them. They fill me, and I have to let them out.' Silently and meticulously, Marie-Edith prepares the ritual. Voodou (or Vodun) remains a cornerstone of spiritual, social, and cultural life. Far from being a ''relic,'' it has seen a notable resurgence as a system of resistance and survival amidst the country's ongoing humanitarian crises.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
WINZOR JEAN-PHILIPPE, alias Wood, a resident of the working-class neighborhood of Pieton-Ville In Port-au-Prince, receives a visit from his mother-in-law, Marie-Edith Henri-Jean-Baptiste. The woman in her sixties explains that she must 'ride' with the spirits. 'It's not always me who decides. Sometimes it's them. They fill me, and I have to let them out.' Wood is anxious, it's the first time he has participated in a Voodoo rite.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Winzor Jean-Philippe a resident of the working-class neighborhood of Pieton-Ville In Port-au-Prince, receives a visit from his mother-in-law, MARIE-EDITH HENRI-JEAN-BAPTISTE. The next morning, she explains that she must 'ride' with the spirits. 'It's not always me who decides. Sometimes it's them. They fill me, and I have to let them out.' Silently and meticulously, Marie-Edith prepares the ritual. Wood is anxious. It's the first time he has participated in a Voodoo rite.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
A local resident holds up discarded ammunition in a street in the La Saline district, where gangs have erected barricades at strategic streets and intersections using rubble in order to slow the advance of armored vehicles of the police and army.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Despite the danger, families live in the territory controlled by armed criminals. By choice or by force, It's difficult to know. Life goes on nonetheless. Some residents survive by selling food, drinks, and other goods. The borders between gang-controlled territories are porous, and the adjacent neighborhoods are easily crossed. Goods are traded, often transported by motorcycle or on foot.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
A member of the ''Vivre Ensemble'' (''Lve Together'') gang shows off his rifle in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, in the neighborhoods of La Saline and Bel Air, territories under gang control, where families continue to live. Regular clashes with law enforcement cause significant damage and casualties: in 2025, 6,000 people are believed to have lost their lives in the civil war raging in this Caribbean country.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Filmed by cellphone camera in Port-au-Prince, 'Vivre Ensemble' gang member JHIMMYNAY CELESTIN (28), says his gang is immune to bullets thanks to 'mysticism.' This belief in invulnerability is said to be linked to the voodoo cult, the warrior spirits of Haitian Vodou.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
The fighters, like 28-year-old JHIMMYNAY CELESTIN here, say they are immune to bullets thanks to ''mysticism.'' This belief in invulnerability is said to be linked to the voodoo cult, the warrior spirits of Haitian Vodou. The spirit, or 'Iwa,' Ogou Feray is the most frequently invoked by the fighters. He is considered their protector and is called upon to bring protection, courage, and success in both physical and spiritual battles.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
In the capital, Port-au-Prince, police officers patrol day and night to ensure the safety of residents and prevent criminals from carrying out violent acts (theft, kidnapping, happen almost daily here.). The threat is serious, and clashes are frequent. The police lack the resources to be truly effective, as evidenced by the state of the vehicle. However a UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a more aggressive mission arrived in Haiti in April 2026, with 5,500 troops it aims to dismantle gangs and restore law and order.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
A scene from everyday life in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, in the neighborhoods of La Saline and Bel Air, territories controlled by the 'Vivre Ensemble' gang, where families continue to live. Now a UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) a more aggressive mission arrived in Haiti in April 2026, with 5,500 troops it aims to dismantle gangs and restore law and order. However fears of high casualties remain as escalations by gangs and the aggressive nature of the new force's mandate begins.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
A scene from everyday life in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, in the neighborhoods of La Saline and Bel Air, territories controlled by the 'Vivre Ensemble' gang, where families continue to live.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Young boy walks past a mural painted in memory of George Floyd on the wall of the College Saint Louis de Bourdon in the capital city Port-au-Prince. Despite the danger, families live in the territory controlled by armed criminals.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
A motorcycle passes an armored military vehicle near the airport intersection, better known as the Rezistans intersection, in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, as the country, plunged into a major humanitarian crisis, is at the mercy of gangs.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Bullet holes in a truck windshield in Port-Au-Prince have become a common scene amid daily clashes between security forces and ultra-violent gangs.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Members of the 'Vivre Ensemble' (Live Together) gang show off their automatic rifles in the Port Au Prince neighborhoods of La Saline and Bel Air, territories controlled by the gang, where families continue to live. Regular clashes with law enforcement cause significant damage and casualties: in 2025, 6,000 people are believed to have lost their lives in the civil war raging in this Caribbean country.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Members of the 'Vivre Ensemble' (Live Together) gang show off their automatic rifles in the Port Au Prince neighborhoods of La Saline and Bel Air, territories controlled by the gang, where families continue to live.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
A local resident hangs her washing to dry on a building roooftop in Port-Au-Prince. Despite the danger, families live in the territory controlled by armed criminals.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Local residents wash clothes outdoors by stomping in basins in a courtyard. Despite the danger, families live in the territory controlled by armed criminals. Some residents survive by selling food, drinks, or various goods.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Despite the danger and daily exchanges of gunfire, the headmaster of La Confiance Mixed Institution, GERARD-PIERRE METELLIS, continues to teach about twenty children and teenagers aged 5 to 14. La Confiance is the only school still accepting children in the La Saline neighborhood. Part of the building was reportedly destroyed in early January after a drone fired by the security forces exploded, according to gangs.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
The La Confiance Mixed Institution is the only school still accepting children in the La Saline neighborhood. Part of the building was reportedly destroyed in early January after a drone fired by the security forces exploded, according to gangs. Nevertheless, and despite the danger and daily exchanges of gunfire, the headmaster, Gerard-Pierre Metellis, continues to teach about twenty children and teenagers aged 5 to 14, all wearing their uniforms.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
The La Confiance Mixed Institution is the only school still accepting children in the La Saline neighborhood. Part of the building was reportedly destroyed in early January after a drone fired by the security forces exploded, according to gangs. Nevertheless, and despite the danger and daily exchanges of gunfire, the headmaster, Gerard-Pierre Metellis, continues to teach about twenty children and teenagers aged 5 to 14, all wearing their uniforms.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
Despite the danger, families live in the territory controlled by armed criminals in Port-Au-Prince. By choice or by force, it's difficult to know. Life goes on nonetheless. Some residents survive by selling food, drinks, or various goods. The borders between gang-controlled territories are porous, and the adjacent neighborhoods are easily crossed.
© David Allignon/ZUMA Press Wire
