UNICEF compares chaos in Haiti to a scene from the film Mad Max

UNICEF says chaos in country resembles scene from ‘Mad Max’

The chaos in Haiti continues to alert the international community. The situation is « horrible » et “almost out of a scene from “Mad Max””a film which depicts a postapocalyptic future, said the executive director of theUnicefat a time when this poor Caribbean country is facing gang violence.

“Many, many people are suffering from severe hunger and malnutrition, and we are failing to provide them with enough help”declared Catherine Russell in an interview with the American channel CBS.

Haiti and in particular its capital Port-au-Prince have been the scene of an outbreak of gang violence in recent weeks, while Haitians await the establishment of a presidential transitional council after the announcement of the resignation of the Prime Minister challenged Ariel Henry, who now handles current affairs. On Sunday, the curfew was extended until Wednesday in the West department. The state of emergency is due to end on April 3.

Kenya, which was to deploy a thousand police officers as part of a multinational security mission, announced that it had suspended the sending of its men, but assured that it would intervene once a presidential council was installed.

The gangs control entire swaths of the country, including 80% of the capital, and are accused of numerous abuses, in particular murders, rapes, and kidnappings for ransom.

“One way or another, we have to take more control of the situation, so that aid can get into Haiti”

Catherine Russell argued, citing the disasters that have affected the country for nearly 15 years: “earthquakes, cholera, Covid…”. The current situation “is the worst anyone has seen in decades”she added.

While the Port-au-Prince airport remains closed, the UN mission in Haiti announced Wednesday the establishment as soon as possible of a ” air lift “ between Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic by helicopter, in particular to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The capital’s main port has also been at a standstill since March 7, facing acts “sabotage and vandalism” according to its operator, complicating the delivery of international aid. A container from Unicef, “including crucial maternal, newborn and child health supplies”was looted on Saturday in this port, the UN agency announced. “This incident comes at a critical time, when children need it most”added Unicef.

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