Port-au-Prince/New York: Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021 by unidentified gunmen, efforts to respond to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Haiti are being put at risk. The situation is also threatening efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, especially food and water, to people who have been internally displaced due to recent gang attacks. United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights were cancelled on July 7 and 8, and the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) has restricted road movements for UN humanitarian staff. Members of the UN humanitarian country team are reviewing preparedness and contingency plans.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on July 9 that 1.5 million children, which represents nearly one third of all children in the country, are in urgent need of emergency relief due to the rising violence, constrained access to clean water, health and nutrition, disrupted education and protection services in times of COVID-19, as well as hurricanes. UNICEF warned that this is the worst humanitarian crisis Haiti has faced over the past few years, and that it’s deteriorating week after week, and that there is more online.
Also read: Haiti’s President assassinated by unidentified gunmen
“Our humanitarian partners are currently drafting a strategy and budget to support efforts,” Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, told journalists at the UN headquarters in New York.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Helen La Lime, is reported to be in contact with Haitian leaders and other interlocutors stressing the urgent need to reach an inclusive political compromise to maintain stability and to chart the way forward for Haiti.
“The solution to Haiti’s challenges will come from Haitians themselves. We continue to stand by Haiti and the Haitian people to provide support,” Dujarric said.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimate that, as of July 4, 2021, some 18,000 people were displaced in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Of those, nearly 14,700 were displaced since the beginning of the gang clashes in early June. The situation remains alarming in the politically volatile country where prevails much confusion over the leadership issue, which had also led to the assassination of the President.
– global bihari bureau
