Council members urged the armed gangs to “immediately cease their destabilizing actions” and reiterated the call for the “perpetrators of these abhorrent acts to be brought to justice”, according to a statement issued following a closed-door briefing last week by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

The 15-member Council restated their strong disapproval of the growing violence, criminal behavior, large-scale displacement of civilians, and violations of human rights that are jeopardizing the peace, stability, and security of Haiti and the surrounding area.

The Council members stated that these acts include kidnappings, sexual and gender-based violence, illegal killings, and the enlistment of children by armed groups and criminal networks.

Restricting the flow of illegal weapons through phone calls

The Security Council voiced serious worries about the illegal transfer of weapons and bullets to Haiti that continue to contribute to instability and violence. It urged Member States to enforce current embargoes on arms.

The Ambassador’s strongly denounced acts of violence by armed groups against important prisons and infrastructure in the country. These attacks have led to the escape of dangerous gang leaders and other prisoners, and the Ambassadors are deeply troubled by the alarming threat of targeted violence against police and government officials.

The group also shared their anticipation and desire for the rapid deployment of the Council-approved international support mission, which was established at the request of the Haitian government to address the current crisis.

Capital ‘under siege’

Philippe Branchat, head of the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Haiti, reports that the security situation is becoming increasingly perilous and chaotic.

He emphasized that the capital [Port-au-Prince] is besieged by armed groups and is constantly under threat, making it an extremely dangerous city.

At this moment, over 160,000 individuals are displaced in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. The United Nations migration agency has expressed worries about the consequences of the recent increase in gang-related violence, starting in late February.

He cautioned that residents of the capital are confined and have no options for leaving.

Looting aid containers

The UN’s humanitarian office, OCHA, reported in its most recent situation update that looting has occurred at the primary port where a vast majority of essential goods and merchandise are transported, putting 300 containers of life-saving aid in jeopardy.

According to the agency, some containers holding food and non-food items were illegally accessed, and steps are being taken to safeguard the delivery of humanitarian aid.

According to OCHA, Terminal Varreux, which stores most of the fuel in the country, has been “obstructed by gangs”, causing worries about potential fuel shortages.

Uncertainty spreads throughout the country.

Since gang violence broke out on 29 February across numerous neighborhoods in the capital, a heavy gunfight led to two jail breaks, releasing about 4,500 prisoners and throwing Port-au-Prince into more insecurity.

At the time, a three-day-long state of emergency was extended until 3 April. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Henry remains outside Haiti, in Puerto Rico, after his plane was denied the right to land last week at the besieged national airport. According to media reports, gang leaders have threatened civil war if he does return to the capital.

The increase in aggression has caused disruptions to economic operations in the capital, as reported by OCHA. All commercial airlines have stopped flying to Port-au-Prince, and the neighboring Dominican Republic has restricted air travel to and from Haiti beginning on March 5th.

Some possible ways to reword this text are:

– Physical aggression causes displacement camps to become empty.
– Violence results in the evacuation of displacement camps.
– The presence of violent behavior leads to the emptying of displacement camps.
– Displacement camps are left deserted due to violence.
– Conflict and turmoil result in displacement camps being emptied.
– The use of force leads to the evacuation of displacement camps.

The IOM has expressed worry over accounts of physical aggression in Artibonite, blockades in Cap Haitien, and a lack of fuel in the southern region.

Mr. Branchat cautioned that Haitians are facing an unlivable situation, filled with fear and continued trauma as each day and hour passes without improvement.

Ten locations where people have been moved to due to multiple instances of violence have been abandoned, causing families who have been forcibly relocated to experience severe emotional distress. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported this situation, noting that there is a significant increase in urgent needs.

The agency stated that immediate necessities consist of obtaining food, healthcare, water, hygiene facilities, and psychological assistance.

Hospitals seized

IOM has warned that the ongoing humanitarian crisis is worsening due to the failing health system, assaults on hospitals by armed groups, and inadequate mental health services.

Several hospitals have been taken over by gangs and have been forced to remove their employees and patients, including newborn babies, stated the agency. The agency also mentioned that medical workers throughout the capital are speaking out about the situation, as their ability to provide care has been greatly reduced.

According to IOM, the provision of psychosocial assistance is urgently required as one of the fundamental services in jeopardy.

The agency attributed this to worsening circumstances, citing individuals who are experiencing repeated displacement along with instances of violence, sexual assault, and overpopulation in shelters.

IOM reported that the current circumstances have worsened mental distress, leading to a concerning increase in suicidal behaviors among those who have been forced to relocate.

There are over 160,000 individuals who have currently been forced to leave their homes in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan region of Haiti.

Emergency response

UN agencies have reported that in Haiti, over 362,000 individuals, more than half of them being minors, are currently displaced within the country. This number has risen by 15 percent since the start of this year, and some of these individuals have been displaced multiple times.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that inadequate goods and resources are worsening the already unstable economic state. Each new location brings about unique challenges, such as securing water and essential services.

Although the security situation in the capital is chaotic, IOM and its partners continue to provide aid to the areas that need it the most.

IOM stated that the agency is leveraging all possible chances to offer support to communities and people who have been forced to leave their homes in various areas. Additionally, they are also working to promote social unity between these communities, which share similar needs for humanitarian assistance.

to Rework

Aid organizations are in urgent need of access to Rework.

OCHA is working closely with civil protection authorities to coordinate efforts and ensure that aid workers are able to deliver.

Last week, the WFP (UN World Food Programme) successfully distributed approximately 19,000 meals within a span of 48 hours.

IOM and its collaborators have supplied approximately 300,000 liters of water for over 20,000 individuals who have been forced to leave their homes. Additionally, they have distributed essentials such as blankets, jerry cans, solar lamps, kitchen sets, and plastic sheets to more than 2,000 individuals. They are also providing psychological assistance through hotlines and mobile clinics staffed with psychologists, nurses, and doctors.

IOM states that there is a critical need for increased accessibility.

The UN migration agency stated that it is essential for IOM and humanitarian partners to have unrestricted access nationwide in order to guarantee the delivery of lifesaving aid to those who are most in need.

emerging

The United Nations is urging for increased assistance for developing nations.

According to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, safe access and support for hospitals in the Port-au-Prince area are crucial in aiding patients with gunshot wounds while UN agencies work on assisting those in need and addressing supply shortages.

“We must unite in our support for the Haitian people and work quickly to help find a solution, led by the Haitian people themselves, to the current serious crisis,” stated Mr. Dujarric.

The UN Spokesperson stated that the Secretary-General urges governments and stakeholders to come to a consensus on urgent actions to halt the ongoing decline of the situation in Haiti and promote a political process that will result in elections.

The need for resources exceeds the available funding for humanitarian efforts.

The secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres, is urging for critical assistance to the humanitarian response budget, which needs $674 million but has only received 2.6% of its funding so far.

According to Mr. Dujarric, that is insufficient.

The spokesperson stated that the UN leader called upon nations to provide sufficient funding and deploy the necessary security measures mandated by the Security Council to address the urgent security concerns of the Haitian people.

In the past week, there have been increased calls for the prompt deployment of the multi-national support force mandated by the Security Council. As of now, countries such as Benin and Kenya have committed to providing personnel for this non-UN force.

The spokesperson for Dennis Francis, the President of the General Assembly, stated that on Monday he expressed great concern about the ongoing crisis and urged all involved parties to work towards promoting peace and security.

According to a post on social media, Mr. Francis emphasized the importance of not neglecting the innocent Haitian civilians who are caught in the midst of escalating violence.

Source: news.un.org