A British family stranded in Haiti amid escalating gang violence has made a desperate plea for help from the UK government, as the Caribbean nation descends further into chaos.
Mary*, a mother of three from London, told The Independent that her family has been trapped indoors for weeks as armed groups battle for control of the capital, Port-au-Prince. "We're running out of food and medicine," she revealed. "The gunfire never stops - we hear explosions day and night."
Government Response Under Scrutiny
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it's aware of British nationals in Haiti but stopped short of announcing evacuation plans. A spokesperson stated: "We're monitoring the situation closely and updating travel advice accordingly."
This response has drawn criticism from opposition MPs, with Labour's shadow foreign secretary demanding "urgent action" to protect UK citizens.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Haiti's latest violence surge began when gangs launched coordinated attacks on government institutions, including the main international airport. The UN reports:
- Over 15,000 displaced from their homes
- Critical shortages of food and medical supplies
- 80% of Port-au-Prince now under gang control
Mary's family had been volunteering at a children's hospital when the crisis erupted. "We came to help," she said, "now we're the ones needing rescue."
