An aid agency UNICEF reported that a container carrying critical supplies for newborn babies and mothers was looted in Port-au-Prince amidst escalating gang violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The looted container contained essential items such as resuscitators, maternity and neonatal supplies, early childhood development and education materials, and water equipment.
UNICEF stated that over 260 humanitarian-owned containers at the port are now under the control of armed groups that breached the main port. The theft of these supplies comes at a crucial time when children are in dire need of life-saving support.
UNICEF representative Bruno Maes in Haiti emphasized that depriving children of vital health supplies during a collapsing healthcare system is a violation of their rights. The violence in Haiti has further strained the already fragile healthcare system, with three out of four women and children in the Port-au-Prince area lacking access to basic public health and nutrition.
Currently, only two functional surgical operating facilities are available in the capital, and six out of ten hospitals across the country are unable to operate due to shortages of electricity, fuel, and medical supplies. The ongoing bloodshed has led to several clashes between police and armed gangs, resulting in casualties.
The Haitian National Police recently conducted an operation in a neighborhood where gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier operates, aiming to reclaim areas occupied by armed gangs and restore safety for citizens. However, the situation remains dire, with 80% of Port-au-Prince under gang control and limited access to critical resources.
UN sources revealed that the first flights of a UN air bridge between Haiti and the Dominican Republic have been completed, providing a lifeline for humanitarian aid and personnel. Currently, private evacuation helicopters are the only means of entering or leaving Port-au-Prince, with exorbitant costs that limit access to wealthy foreigners and diplomats.
The closure of critical logistics routes and the blockade of essential supplies pose a severe threat to the healthcare crisis in Haiti. Urgent action is needed to address the escalating humanitarian catastrophe and prevent further suffering among the vulnerable population.
