The essential staff of the UN agencies on the ground and its Mission in the country remain in Port-au-Prince to continue their critical activities, reaffirmed Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Secretary General António Guterres, in a press conference. “We continue to support the Haitian people and authorities with humanitarian assistance and vitally important political support,” the spokesman added, insisting on the need to contribute to national efforts for a political transition.

Last week, the UN Resident Coordinator in Haiti, Ulrika Richardson, confirmed that the organization slightly reduced its staff in Port-au-Prince in the face of the increase in murders and lynchings by armed gangs. “In recent days, thousands of people have had to leave their homes again and, of course, seek shelter,” the envoy said in a press conference.

“The current context puts a lot of pressure on already very strained capacities in terms of providing protection, but also food, shelter and, of course, water to displaced people”, warned Richardson, who described the operations on the ground as extremely intense as the population needs it most. However, she added, the United Nations team in the country has provided thousands of meals a day, as well as medical care, psychosocial care and drinking water.

On Tuesday, the agency confirmed that it also maintains programs outside the capital that allow it to provide assistance to needy communities throughout the country.

In recent weeks, gangs have further extended their control in Port-au-Prince, which is now estimated to account for about 85 percent of the Haitian capital.

Extreme levels of gang intimidation further degrade state authority as the nation navigates its third year of political transition following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

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