The United Nations Human Rights Office says more than 1,500 people have been killed in gang violence in Haiti so far this year.

Haiti’s gang wars have intensified in recent weeks, with heavily armed rivals unleashing waves of attacks, including raids on police stations and the international airport.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry was also forced to announce his resignation on March 11th after gangs joined forces and launched a coordinated offensive.

According to a UN report, some people have been killed in their homes in reprisal for their alleged support for the police or rival gangs, in the street by snipers or in crossfire, or lynched by so-called self-defence brigades.

The report also described rampant sexual violence.

It states, “​Corruption, impunity and poor governance, compounded by increasing levels of gang violence have eroded the rule of law and brought state institutions … close to collapse” and called for tighter national and international controls to stem the trafficking of weapons and ammunition to the country.