Photo credit: news.un.org
Since late January, Port-au-Prince has been engulfed in a wave of extreme violence, resulting in significant casualties and the displacement of over 6,000 residents. The intensified brutality has left the capital shaken, with entire families being attacked in their homes and others, including young children and infants, falling victim as they attempted to flee.
The Haiti Humanitarian Country Team, which comprises various UN agencies, NGOs, and international donors, expressed profound concern in a statement regarding the alarming and inhumane levels of violence currently plaguing the nation. This surge in violence follows a tragic massacre in December, during which over 200 individuals were executed by the Wharf Jérémie gang in the Cité Soleil commune.
Protests Against Civilian Violence
The ongoing violence has rendered daily life extremely challenging for many Haitians, who are faced with a climate of fear, hunger, disease, and an unpredictable future. Vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, are facing heightened risks, including the threat of sexual violence.
By the end of 2024, violence had resulted in the deaths of at least 5,600 individuals and displaced over a million people across the country. Humanitarian Coordinator Ulrika Richardson vehemently condemned attacks on civilians and infrastructure, specifically citing an assault on the State University of Haiti hospital on February 13 as a violation of human rights that jeopardizes vital services for the most vulnerable populations.
Despite the increasing challenges, the humanitarian community remains steadfast in its commitment to providing critical assistance to millions of men, women, and children in vulnerable conditions. Beyond immediate relief efforts, agencies are also focused on collaborating with development and peacebuilding organizations to foster sustainable community resilience.
The Humanitarian Country Team emphasized the importance of continued international support for Haiti, committing to secure necessary funding to address urgent needs and restore dignity to affected populations.
The United Nations is diligently working to assist those displaced by the ongoing violence in Haiti.
A Comprehensive Humanitarian Response Plan
In response to the escalating crisis, the UN has launched an appeal for $908 million aimed at supporting approximately 3.9 million Haitians grappling with food insecurity amid a deteriorating infrastructure. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) unveiled the 2025 humanitarian response plan on February 19, which seeks to address acute needs stemming from armed conflict, forced migration, epidemics, and the impacts of natural disasters.
This funding will be directed towards addressing Haiti’s pervasive challenges, with initiatives to deploy mobile teams that facilitate aid delivery, protective measures against sexual exploitation and abuse, and programs designed to foster the country’s long-term development.
Source
news.un.org