New York: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed deep concern over the surging unrest in Haiti’s major cities, where over 1,100 individuals have fallen victim to gang violence in the first month of this year.
Citing data from the UN Human Rights Office, OCHA revealed that the capital city of Port-au-Prince and other urban centers witnessed the highest number of casualties recorded in the past two years.
The intensification of deadly violence during demonstrations has severely disrupted humanitarian operations, impeding efforts to assist civilians in dire need, particularly those residing in displacement sites. OCHA underscored that more than 313,000 individuals have been displaced across the country, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Furthermore, road blockades and movement restrictions have severely hampered the ability of healthcare workers to provide essential services, while also impeding access to crucial social amenities. The disruption in transportation routes and port access has hindered the timely delivery of life-saving aid, exacerbating the already dire situation.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the looting of a humanitarian organization’s facility in the Department of Sud, which is expected to significantly impact its operations in the days ahead.
In addition to the humanitarian challenges, over 1,000 schools nationwide, including those in Port-au-Prince and other urban areas, were forced to close temporarily in mid-January due to ongoing anti-gang demonstrations, further exacerbating the disruption to normal life and education in the country.
