The United Nations on Thursday reported that last week’s deadly attack in the commune of Cabaret, in Haiti’s West Department, has forced thousands of people to flee their homes.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told a daily news briefing that Guterres “strongly condemned the reported killing of at least 40 people, including women, children and the elderly” in the attack.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the violence displaced more than 4,700 people, with over two-thirds seeking refuge in the nearby commune of Arcahaie. While most are being hosted by families, 23 per cent have taken shelter in four schools.
“These attacks underscore once again the worsening security and humanitarian situation in Haiti,” Dujarric said, noting that “these attacks also come less than a month before the start of the new school year, further deepening the education crisis as several schools already under strain are being used as displacement sites, which is of course disrupting the lives of both students and teachers.”
He added that forced displacements, destruction, and attacks against civilians are driving up humanitarian needs, compounding existing crises in health, nutrition, and education.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is coordinating efforts to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable, despite “extremely challenging conditions.” Dujarric also warned that the humanitarian response in Haiti remains severely underfunded, with only 13 per cent of the US$908 million needed currently available.
