What actions is the United Nations taking to assist Haiti in addressing violence and instability?
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The situation: Chaos and anxiety prevail.
While the situation in Haiti has long been characterized by lawlessness, with powerful gangs controlling much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, the months of January and February 2024 have been the most violent in the last two years, with over 2,500 people killed, kidnapped or injured since the start of the year. The decision of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in March 2024, to step down has further complicated the situation.
On March 21st, Ms. Ulrike Richardson, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, issued a warning stating that the current violence is spreading into previously peaceful areas of the capital. This comes after weeks of organized gang attacks on prisons, ports, and hospitals. Ms. Richardson expressed concern over the widespread human rights violations, including the prevalence of sexual violence and the torture and “collective rape” of women.
The UN senior representative reported an escalating crisis in terms of humanitarian issues, including 362,000 people displaced within the country, insufficient access to clean water, and only 50% of health facilities in Port-au-Prince operating at their full capacity.
A recent evaluation, supported by the UN, has revealed that hunger has reached record-breaking heights. The report states that 4.97 million individuals are experiencing crisis or higher levels of severe food insecurity, with 1.64 million of those facing “emergency” levels.
An increasing number of individuals are trying to flee the city, putting themselves in danger by traveling through territories that are under the control of gangs. In March, a minimum of 33,000 people departed the capital in search of safety in other areas, primarily in the Grand Sud departments. This region is already home to more than 116,000 displaced individuals.
Flames are blazing on the roads in the Cité Soleil region of Port-au-Prince.
2. Providing aid amidst warfare: The challenges faced
During the ongoing crisis, which began with multiple attacks by gangs in late February throughout the city of Port-au-Prince, resulting in a state of emergency and the Prime Minister’s resignation, UN employees have persistently delivered assistance to the local people despite the unsafe security situation.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has distributed some 160,000 hot meals, while the World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered a range of essential health supplies, and planes from the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) have flown in around 800kg of blood pouches.
The United Nations, in collaboration with other organizations, has been working towards resolving the issue of limited availability of clean water. For instance, from March 16-18, UNICEF and the non-profit Solidarités International supplied 20,500 gallons of water to four locations housing a population of more than 12,000 displaced individuals. Additionally, from March 17-20, the UN migration agency IOM delivered 16,000 gallons of water to two sites.
UNFPA and its partner NGOs are offering support to individuals who have experienced gender-based violence through a hotline that offers emotional aid, as well as a mobile clinic for sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence in a location for those who have been internally displaced.
The Security Council has passed a resolution giving permission for the establishment of a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti in October 2023.
3. The multilateral response
Finding a way to end the Haitian crisis has been the subject of several high-level UN meetings. On 21 March the Security Council, the UN organ charged with maintaining international peace and security, issued a press statement reiterating its members support for a “Haitian-led, Haitian-owned political process”, and stressed the need for the international community to redouble its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the population and to support the Haitian National Police. The members of the Security Council also expressed grave concern at the illicit flow of arms and ammunition into Haiti that remains, they said, a fundamental factor of instability and violence.
In October 2023, the Security Council approved the dispatch of a multinational security support (MSS) group to Haiti at the behest of the previous administration. The decision was celebrated as a significant milestone, although the deployment of the group has not yet taken place.
4. Financial Support: An Enormous Void to Satisfy
Currently, various high-ranking members of the UN System are advocating for a notable increase in financial support for the humanitarian mission.
Ms. Richardson emphasized on Thursday that the financial aid proposal for Haiti, totaling $674 million, has only received six percent of the necessary funding. She urged for urgent action, stating that time is of the essence.
In March, Cindy McCain, leader of the World Food Programme, expressed concern that the aid operation was close to depletion.
Mothers and their children are seen waiting at a mobile clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which is supported by UNICEF. (reference file)
5. An uncertain future
There are plans for a mission to support the undermanned and underfunded Haitian National Police, likely with Kenya leading and additional troops promised by Caribbean nations. The United States has reportedly committed $300 million to this effort.
This operation has been approved by a resolution from the Security Council, even though it is not officially a United Nations mission.
Although it is widely accepted that Haiti is in dire need of assistance to establish a safe and stable environment, Mr. Henry’s resignation has caused disruptions to the mission. This has led Kenya to announce a delay in the deployment until a new Haitian government is announced.
Based on reports from the media, there is progress in negotiations between political parties to establish a temporary council that would assume the responsibilities of the president until elections can be carried out. It is uncertain when or if the council will assume control or when the security operations will commence within Haiti’s borders.
Source: news.un.org
