UN warns about worsening humanitarian situation in Haiti

By Merve Aydogan

TORONTO, Canada (AA) - The UN humanitarian coordinator for Haiti raised the alarm about the worsening humanitarian situation in that country with at least 5.5 million people in need of assistance.

Noting the "steep increase" in violence, killing, murder, lynching, rape and other forms of sexual violence in 2023 as opposed to 2022, Ulrika Richardson said at a UN briefing that "we have now 314,000 displaced people in Haiti, which is a quite a stark number."

Asked about donors, Richardson said the US, EU and Canada are among the top three countries with contributions in terms of figures.

"We need to facilitate also for member states to be able to give perhaps more modest amounts. So that's what we're doing," she added.

Haiti has been immersed for years in a political, economic and social crisis amid a spiral of violence at the hands of armed gangs that terrorize the population with killings, kidnappings, rapes and attacks.

​​The situation prompted the UN Security Council last October to approve sending a multinational security support mission led by Kenya.