U.N. warns rising violence in Haiti has displaced tens of thousands; cholera cases and mission staffing gaps highlighted

U.N. humanitarian colleagues reported rising violence and worsening humanitarian conditions in Haiti, especially in the Centre and West departments where the capital, Port-au-Prince, is located.

The U.N. said that, in recent weeks, communes in the Centre department — Sodo and Mirabel (as reported) — had displaced more than 30,000 people; most have remained in the department and are receiving assistance from humanitarian partners including food, hygiene supplies, safe water and psychosocial support.

On cholera, the World Health Organization reported close to 1,300 suspected cases in the first three months of the year (as of March 29), including nine confirmed cases and 19 deaths, giving an overall case-fatality rate of about 1.65%, above the emergency threshold of 1%. Increases in suspected cases have been reported in Cité Soleil in Port-au-Prince and in Arcahaie, including in displacement sites. The U.N.'s response coordination task force, working under Haiti's Ministry of Public Health and supported by international humanitarian organizations, is providing surveillance, lab support, case management, vaccination, water and sanitation services and infection prevention and control. OCHA said the response remains severely limited by insecurity, lack of access and underfunding.

During the briefing, a questioner said a U.N. report found that the multinational police support program in Haiti — notably a Kenyan contingent — was operating with only 40% of the 2,500 personnel originally envisioned. The U.N. spokesperson urged member states to support the multinational force with financing and equipment, saying contributing countries "are doing whatever they can to implement their mandate" but do not always have the tools and financial resources they need.