The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) published in a note the summary of the humanitarian situation in Haiti in February 2024, in particular on the impacts of violence in the metropolitan area; health ; education and displaced people.

"Impact of violence in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince:

Since the beginning of February, a number of neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince have been plagued by violence sparked by clashes between gangs. At least two children were killed and a handful of other have been seriously injured (some disabled for life), according to UNCEF. The violence has disrupted economic activities and reduced access to basic social services; access is a major challenge, notably in the area of Croix-des-Bouquets, many areas of which are among the most affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, with current and projected malnutrition rates are among the highest in the country. The operations of UN humanitarian organizations and NGOs have also been affected. In January, at least 71 civilians were killed and 87 others injured in January at La Saline. The International Organization for Migration estimates that nearly 10,000 people were displaced in the first two weeks of February https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41697-haiti-insecurity-10-000-people-displaced-in-one-week-to-escape-gangs.html , bringing to 20,000 the number displaced since the beginning of the year.

Impact on Health :

• Medical services facing disruptions, mostly limited to emergency care; Difficulties in referring patients due to insecurity.

• The Fontaine Hospital (Cité Soleil) has suspended operations; Bennett Hospital (La Saline) is occupied by gangs.

• Lack of medical equipment and overcrowding of health centres.

• Mental disorders— depression, stress, heart problems— on the rise

• The Chancerelle Hospital (La Saline), the Methodist Clinic, and the Medical Center (La Saline), among health infrastructures that have ceased operating since October 2023 due to violence, severely affecting children and pregnant women.

• Lack of potable water forces residents to use non-potable sources that are only accessible during lulls in fighting

Impact on Education :

• 15 schools closed, including the Lycée La Saline and the École les Papillons

• At least 290,000 of the 420,000 targeted children have been deprived of school meals due to school closures or WFP's inability to access these facilities across Port-au-Prince. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41714-haiti-news-zapping.html and https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41681-haiti-insecurity-the-wfp-urgently-calls-for-humanitarian-corridors-against-a-backdrop-of-urban-guerrilla-warfare.html

Impact on Displacement and Protection :

• Recruitment of minors by armed groups in La Saline and Warf Jérémie.

• Displacement of residents to temporary sites and surrounding areas.

• Many cases of sexual violence have been reported.

The implementation of initiatives such as the distribution of food aid, access to drinking water and better waste management are crucial measures to respond to the current situation. Humanitarian actors will ensure the consolidation of the medical referral and psychosocial support system, particularly for victims of violence and displaced people.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41720-haiti-crisis-highlights-of-the-humanitarian-situation-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41714-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41697-haiti-insecurity-10-000-people-displaced-in-one-week-to-escape-gangs.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41681-haiti-insecurity-the-wfp-urgently-calls-for-humanitarian-corridors-against-a-backdrop-of-urban-guerrilla-warfare.html

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre