Crisis in Haiti
In August 2021, a major earthquake occurred in the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The epicenter was near the southern city of Les Cayes, and it is estimated that over 2000 people lost their lives. Inadequate medical infrastructure, a sluggish governmental response, and rampant gang activity exacerbated the disaster. Immediately following the earthquake, criminal elements kidnapped doctors, barricaded the entrances to towns in order to loot humanitarian convoys, and stole from residents of those areas. Some met their fate at the hands of local people; a common form of "street justice" in Haiti.
Material aid eventually began to arrive from USAID and the World Food Program, amongst others. Distribution of these goods were often tense scenes that required the presence of armed authorities to maintain order.