As violent gangs expand their control in Haiti, the UN is committed to staying the course
Armed gangs are said to be expanding their areas of operation, taking control of neighboring areas and further isolating communities. This is despite the implementation of a United Nations Security Councilsupported by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, designed to strengthen the nation’s police force, which is struggling to keep the peace as it grapples with acute resource shortages. important.
Some of those who fled their homes in Haiti are now living in schools.
20,000 people were displaced in four days
On Wednesday, Ulrika Richardson, Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, summary UN correspondents on the dire situation, note airport closures due to gangs shooting and attacking commercial aircraft, as well as an increase in murders in recent days: during Over a four-day period, more than 20,000 people in the Port-au-Prince Region fled their homes in search of safety and shelter.
In a separate press conference, Miroslav Jenča, head of United Nations peace operations in the Americas, said that gangs had “sieged the capital and all approaches” and according to some estimated to control about 85% of the capital.
On Monday, they even attacked the suburb of Petion-Ville, home to international staff, the United Nations office and diplomatic missions, which had previously been considered relatively safe.
If any further proof was needed of the severity of the security situation in Haiti, it came in the form of Tuesday’s press release, published by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
The healthcare charity, which regularly operates in the world’s most dangerous conflict zones, has announced the suspension of operations in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area until further notice. , after an attack on one of their ambulances, leaving at least one patient dead. .
Food and medical assistance operations continue
However, United Nations System agencies and organizations operating in Haiti have made efforts to assert that they are committed to remaining in the country.
“In fact, our humanitarian operations have continued since this escalating crisis began,” Ms. Richardson noted. “We have provided thousands of meals, health care and psychosocial services, and clean water.” The senior UN official added that a UN helicopter used to transport humanitarian aid, which was affected by the airport closure, has now resumed flights between Cap Haitien and Port-au-Prince.
Since the beginning of the year, the World Food Program in Haiti has distributed more than 2 million hot meals.
Two million hot meals
Since the beginning of the year, the World Food Program (WFP) has distributed more than two million hot meals. This weekend alone, despite the risks, WFP and partners were able to provide nearly 38,000 hot meals in Port-au-Prince and the nearby town of Arcahaie, a record number in a single day.
However, WFP aid is not limited to the area surrounding the capital. The agency and its partners are providing daily meals to more than 430,000 students, 70% of which are made entirely with locally grown ingredients. About 97,000 people are also receiving cash transfers, as part of efforts to create a social safety net.
United Nations Migration Agency, IOMalso maintain their operations in Haiti, keeping migrant protection centers open and providing life-saving assistance through mobile medical clinics, subsidizing rent for displaced people, protecting services, psychological support, water supply to relocation sites and support at border crossings.
