UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations yesterday said it remained “deeply concerned” over escalating violence in Haiti, particularly in the Artibonite department, which has triggered a new wave of displacement.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric described the situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country as “a horrendous crisis” and that UN humanitarian officials continue to worry about the situation.
He said that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that nearly 15 000 people
fled after armed attacks last week in the communes of Dessalines and Verrettes.
“Most of them sought safety in Poste Pierrot, a remote part of Dessalines, where they are being hosted by local families. This, as you can imagine, like in many other places, is putting additional pressure on already vulnerable communities.”
Dujarric said elsewhere in the Artibonite department, the security situation in the commune of L’Estère
is worsening.
“Clashes erupted there between gangs and local self-defence groups on Saturday leading to additional displacement and damage to civilian property,” Dujarric said, adding that this follows a series of coordinated offensives by gangs between July 14 and 17 across several parts of the Artibonite.
Dujarric told the daily news briefing that in addition to casualties, preliminary reports indicated that homes and vehicles were destroyed.
“Displaced families are in urgent need of hygiene supplies, food, emergency shelter, medical assistance, and other essential items. However, OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) warns that ongoing insecurity continues to severely restrict humanitarian access, making it difficult to reach those in need.”
Dujarric said this latest displacement added to an already dire situation nationwide, noting “as we told you last week, nearly 1.3 million people in Haiti are displaced – the highest number ever recorded in Haiti due to violence and insecurity.
“OCHA reiterates the urgent need of scaling up humanitarian support and protection of families across the country. We continue to work with partners and authorities to improve access, mobilise additional funding – which is obviously critically needed- and ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those most in
need, despite the increasingly constrained operating environment,” Dujarric added. (CMC)
