P-au-P, August 23, 2024 [AlterPresse] — The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Haiti (OCHA) warns of a risk of worsening of the humanitarian crisis on the national territory, without an immediate mobilization of sufficient financial resources to deal with it, in a document seen by the online agency AlterPresse.
The humanitarian situation could deteriorate if more resources are not made available for the benefit of the humanitarian community, Ocha warns.
With the surge in blind violence by armed gangs, more people are becoming very vulnerable, in neighborhoods and localities affected by gun carriers as well as in areas far from the metropolitan area of the capital, Port-au-Prince, which have become host countries for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Alarming level of violence and brutality
Ocha reports an increase, since February 29, 2024, in episodes of violence, which began at the beginning of the year.
Nearly 2,500 people were killed or injured during the first quarter of 2024 (January to March), an increase of 53% compared to the previous period (October – December 2023).
In the second quarter (April to June 2024), (a number of) 1,379 people were killed and injured, and 428 others were kidnapped.
Spectacular forced displacements
Between March and June 2024, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) increased by 60%, reaching 578 thousand, following the intensification of attacks by armed groups in the metropolitan area of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and in the department of Artibonite (North).
The epicentre of the humanitarian crisis could gradually shift to a growing number of areas previously spared from insecurity, Ocha predicts.
Half of the displaced people, desperately fleeing Port-au-Prince, have headed to the far south, where the vast majority are staying with already economically vulnerable host families.
Near collapse of the health system
Basic services have virtually collapsed, with only 24% of hospitals functioning normally, Ocha notes.
The University of the State of Haiti (Hueh) Hospital, the largest public hospital in Haiti, has remained closed since March 2024, following repeated attacks by armed groups present in the area.
The presence in the departments of the greater South of displaced persons from the West department, mainly in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, is putting additional pressure on certain hospitals in these areas, which are already struggling to function, particularly in caring for pregnant women, continues Ocha.
Call to fund the entire response plan
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Haiti is urgently requesting that all financial needs expressed in the Humanitarian Response Plan, i.e. 674 million US dollars, be covered (Editor’s note: US $ 1.00=+ 140.00 gourdes; 1 euro=148.00 gourdes; 1 Canadian dollar=98.00 gourdes; 1 Dominican peso=2.40 gourdes today).
“Of the US$674 million required, only 24% has been received as of August 5, 2024. This is largely insufficient to scale up the response in light of the enormous needs of the most vulnerable people.”
If this funding is not secured, “3.6 million people targeted by this plan would see their chances of survival considerably reduced,” anticipates Ocha, which is asking donor institutions to commit flexible funds, in order to allow partners to adjust their funding to current priorities. [emb rc apr 23/08/2024 12:45]
Photo: Account X of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Haiti (OCHA)
