Haiti Emergency Situation Report No. 28 (as of 5 July 2024)

This report is produced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Haiti in collaboration with humanitarian partners. The report covers mainly the period from 15 June to 5 July 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hurricane Beryl made minor damages in Haiti

• UNICEF says “one child displaced every minute in Haiti as armed violence persists”

• Over 57,000 displaced people have been transferred from the hot meal program to cash-based transfers

• UNAIDS and UNFPA lead efforts against sexual and gender-based violence

• UNAIDS and PAHO/WHO, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, secured US$700,000 for blood transfusion programme

• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) airlifted respectively 80 tons and 55 tons of medicine and equipment in June.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The recent weeks have been marked by sustained interaction between UN agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations and Haitian authorities, the Directorate of Civil Protection, in preparedness activities and measures for the hurricane season that started on 1 June. In Port-au-Prince and across the country, preparedness activities include stock-prepositioning of food and non-food items, staffing and awareness raising of the population. Among other things, several clusters have worked on capacity mapping and partners’ readiness. On 2 and 3 July, Hurricane Beryl, the first of the season, caused minimal damage in the country. The most notable damage was along the southern coasts with the flooding of roads and farmlands, damage to fishing boats and other properties. On 3 July, Haitian authorities lifted the hurricane watch warning.

Over the past weeks, the re-opening of the airport has allowed aid organizations to bring in more support and sustain operations in Port-au-Prince and across the country. Since May, the WFP has operated four cargo flights to service its own operations and those of sister organizations. Among them, on 17 June, two cargo flights landed in Port-au-Prince, transporting more than 55 tons of medicines and shelter materials for Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs), and prepositioning stock for the hurricane season. The goods will serve the operations of UN agencies and one international NGO. On 21 June, international NGO MSF airlifted 80 tons of medicine and equipment for its operations in Port-au-Prince, a consignment that will allow the organization to avert a stoppage in its operations. Since 1 July, the UN Humanitarian Air Service, operated by WFP, has returned to its base in Port-au-Prince, following a 4-months relocation to Cap Haitien.

The health system in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince remains on the brink, crippled by escalating violence that has shut down several healthcare facilities, including the country's main university hospital. Access to life-saving healthcare, basic health services and psychological assistance in Haiti is still scarce. The capacity of the health system remains extremely limited as less than 20 per cent of critical health facilities to treat serious trauma in Port-au-Prince are functioning at their regular capacity and 39 per cent of healthcare facilities with in-patient care in the capital area are closed. The resumption of airport operations has offered a lifeline, allowing the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization to restock critical medical products and equipment and resupply health facilities.

UNICEF has increased its advocacy and presence in the commune of Leogane, where thousands of displaced people from Port-au-Prince have found refuge. An outbreak of violence on 11 May has disrupted previously safe areas such as Gressier, a commune just south of Port-au-Prince, forced over 33,000 people to flee to Léogâne, according to UNICEF. UNICEF reports that two-thirds of these internally displaced persons are women and children. In a 24 June note, UNICEF said the influx of people was putting immense pressure on local education, health and other essential services. On 2 July, UNICEF said the number of internally displaced children in Haiti has increased by an estimated 60 per cent since March – the equivalent of one child every minute – a result of ongoing violence caused by armed groups.