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Life in Haiti 'a matter of surviving day to day'

The Caribbean country of Haiti has been hit by a wave of violence and continues to suffer petrol shortages and high inflation. Our OS listener Velena says, "Everyone knows someone, a relative or a close one who's been affected."

Gang violence has shot up since the assassination of President Jovenel MoΓ―se by mercenaries a year ago and in recent days, battles between two rival gangs led to the closure of a major petrol terminal in CitΓ© Soleil, near the capital, Port-au-Prince. Petrol shortages can last weeks and are leading to rising prices and street protests.

"It's really a matter of surviving day to day," says Valena but adds most Haitians would still find it very difficult to leave the country they call home.

Photo: A woman covers her nose while walking past a burning road block Credit: Reuters

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