In Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, a recent surge in violence has obstructed the World Food Programme (WFP) from delivering essential supplies to hundreds of thousands in urgent need. Since early February, clashes between armed gangs have escalated, forcing nearly 10,000 people to flee their homes within just ten days.
This violence has severely hampered the WFP’s efforts, preventing them from reaching over 370,000 individuals facing acute food insecurity.
Jean-Martin Bauer, the country director for WFP, highlighted the challenges posed by the upsurge in violence. He mentioned that the conflict has disrupted cargo routes, restricted movement, and led to the closure of schools, resulting in the temporary suspension of many of WFP’s activities across the country.
Additionally, the closure of schools has prevented the distribution of hot meals to approximately 300,000 children, while the ongoing violence in the heavily affected Cite Soleil neighborhood has hindered aid distribution to families in need.
The situation is dire for many in Cite Soleil, where around 56,000 people are unreachable, including those on the brink of slipping into famine-like conditions. Tanya Birkbeck, WFP’s Haiti communications director, expressed concern that interruptions in aid could push them back into the worst category of food insecurity.
Despite the challenges, WFP reassured that their stocks of dry goods are secure in warehouses, and they remain committed to delivering aid to those in need.
However, the ongoing violence has not only affected WFP but also forced other aid groups like Medecins Sans Frontieres to suspend clinics and close hospitals. Moreover, insufficient funding has compelled WFP to reduce its operations last year.
While the United Nations ratified the deployment of an international force to assist in combating gangs and securing routes for humanitarian aid, no specific timeline or contributing countries have been announced yet. As the violence persists, the humanitarian crisis in Haiti deepens, leaving thousands at risk of starvation and in urgent need of assistance.