Haiti faces one of the most serious food crises in the world that only worsen because of steep financing cuts to Wfp Rescue programs.
“We urge international partners to intensify to allow PAM and partners to provide not only vital emergency assistance, but also for Invest in programs concerning the deep causes of hunger,“Said Wanja Kaaria, agency director in Haiti.
PAM has indicated that armed groups now control almost 90% of the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, leading to an increase in food prices for a population already faced with a serious food insecurity and obstructing farmers’ access to markets.
More than 16,000 killed
An amazing 1.3 million people, more than half of them, were forced to flee Their houses in search of food and shelters, says that WFP, while more than 16,000 people have been killed and around 7,000 injured since January 2022, according to UN Human Rights Head Volker Türk.
Violence spreads beyond the country’s capital and in neighboring regions-fertile land for more weapons, drugs and human trafficking, said Türk, in a update On the situation in Haiti at the Human Rights Council.
“More children are subject to trafficking, exploitation and forced recruitment by gangs,” he continued. “We can only imagine the long -term impact, for the children of Haiti and for society as a whole.”
“Make options and hope”
PAM requires $ 139 million for the next 12 months to reach Haiti’s most vulnerable families. Currently, funding deficits have forced the agency to suspend hot meals for newly moved families and Slash food rations in two.
For the first time, WFP did not pay food stocks to respond to a disaster linked to the climate during the Atlantic Hurricane season due to the lack of resources.
” Today, More than half of all Haitians do not have enough to eat“Said Ms. Kaaria.” With our current financing levels, PAM and partners find it difficult to maintain famine remotely for thousands of the most vulnerable children – mothers, whole families who lack options and hope. »»
Despite the challenges, WFP has reached more than two million people in need since January 2022 and has worked with the Haitian government to provide school meals to thousands of students, among other aid.
State violence
In his update, Türk expressed his concern that the security forces supported by the Haitian government have been responsible for certain “unnecessary and disproportionate deadly force” in their fight against gangs.
Until now, more than half of the murders and injuries have been in the hands of the state authorities, with 174 people executed for affiliations of alleged gangs.
The members of the Security Council vote on a draft resolution concerning a new force for the abolition of gangs in Haiti.
The government has also used explosive or attack drones, in order to purge the capital of armed groups – which is “probably illegal under international human rights law” – Kill at least 559 people in mid-September.
New force supported by the Security Council
A new Gang suppression force (GSF) of more than 5,000 armed staff members to neutralize gangs and protect the population was authorized earlier this week by the UN Security advice.
But the details of the way it will be funded and which countries will provide troops have not yet been finalized. Read our explanator on how the GSF takes shape, here.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
