“Many people are seriously suffering from hunger and malnutrition, and we are unable to provide them with enough help,” worries the agency’s executive director.
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Unicef describes events “almost out[s] from a scene from Mad Max“, a film that depicts a post-apocalyptic future. In Haiti, “many, many people are suffering from severe hunger and malnutrition, and we are failing to provide them with enough help”said Sunday March 17 the executive director of Unicef, Catherine Russell, in an interview with the American channel CBS, discussing a situation “horrible”.
The Caribbean country, and particularly its capital Port-au-Prince, has been the scene of an outbreak of gang violence in recent weeks. On Sunday, the curfew was extended until Wednesday in the West department, which includes Port-au-Prince. The state of emergency is due to end on April 3. Haitians are awaiting the establishment of a transitional presidential council after the announcement of the resignation of the contested Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, who is now in charge of current affairs.
Port-au-Prince airport remains closed
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 help can come in” in Haiti, argued Catherine Russell.
While the Port-au-Prince airport remains closed, the UN mission there announced on 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 shut down since March 7, complicating the delivery of international aid.