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UN warns rising violence, deportations worsen Haiti humanitarian emergency; appeals for funding
Summary
UN agencies report mass displacement inside Haiti after escalating violence, an influx of deportees from the Dominican Republic with high vulnerability among women and infants, and severe underfunding of an already large humanitarian response plan.
The United Nations said Thursday that escalating violence in Haiti and recent deportations from the Dominican Republic have intensified an already dire humanitarian situation and that funding shortfalls threaten the response.
"There has been an increase in the number of vulnerable individuals among those deported from the Dominican Republic to Haiti, particularly women including pregnant and lactating women, children, and even newborns," the UN spokesperson said, citing International Organization for Migration (IOM) reporting.
IOM staff at the Belladère border crossing received 416 deportees on April 22, including 11 pregnant women and 16 breastfeeding women, the briefing said. Many arrive in precarious conditions and IOM provides immediate assistance — food, water, hygiene kits, medical referrals and psychosocial support — and temporary accommodation for breastfeeding women when needed.
Within Haiti, the UN highlighted mass displacement and critical strain on health services in the central departments. Attacks and insecurity forced the University Hospital of Mirebalais — a major referral hospital of about 300 beds — to suspend operations; before closure the facility handled nearly 850 patients per day, including maternal and advanced cancer care. Other hospitals in the region are treating large numbers of gunshot wounds and malnutrition cases and face shortages of oxygen and emergency medical supplies.
The UN's humanitarian response plan for Haiti, which the briefing said requires about $898,000,000 to support 3.9 million people, was reported to be about 6% funded with roughly $57,000,000 in the bank. For health specifically, partners require $43,500,000 but had received less than $7,000,000 to date.
The spokesperson said UN and humanitarian partners will continue efforts including mobile clinics and coordination with the Haitian government and Caritas where security and funding allow, while urging donors to increase support so services can continue.
