Haitians must benefit from refugee protection and not be forcibly returned to their country, where gangs reign terror, the United Nations reminded on Wednesday.
Faced with the chaotic situation prevailing, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince, and fears of a mass exodus, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has taken the lead and updated guidelines to ensure that the most vulnerable Haitians will be protected.
"The lives, security, and freedom of Haitians are threatened by a confluence of increasing gang violence and