This international airport in Haiti has been closed due to violence by criminal groups in the country. The flight that departed on Thursday carried 15 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies, which were delivered by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) And World Health Organization ,WHO) will be used by.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that due to the insecurity prevailing in Haiti, health care services for the general public are limited and in such circumstances this life-saving aid operation will help those in need.
He said local NGOs, in collaboration with the UN health agency, are providing a range of services to displaced people, including malnutrition screening, cholera prevention and psychosocial support.
The UN spokesperson expressed hope that once the airport in Haiti becomes operational in a phased manner, more vital supplies could be delivered, but this would require support from donors.
The humanitarian plan for Haiti has appealed for $674 million, but so far only 21 percent, or $142 million, has been managed.
Multinational Security Support
Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund has warned that children are being recruited by armed groups in Haiti.
Children constitute 30-50 per cent of the population of criminal groups and are often subjected to pressure, abuse and exploitation, for which fragile social, economic and political conditions are blamed.
The Ministry of Justice, Education, Human Rights and Social Affairs in Haiti is working to reintegrate youth, especially those who have previously been part of armed groups.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the immediate deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to the country to assist local police in dealing with security challenges.
He appealed to member countries to ensure funding for this multinational mission and provide the necessary support for conducting the operation.
Stephane Dujarric said that children are being recruited into armed groups in Haiti, and therefore it is essential that the multinational security mission be deployed as soon as possible.