ECNETNews, July 23, 2024: The United States Ambassador to the United Nations has announced a US$60 million humanitarian aid package aimed at supporting the Haitian people amid the ongoing suffering caused by gang violence in Haiti.
During a one-day visit to Haiti, the Ambassador stated that this vital aid would be distributed through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The funding is set to empower USAID partners to tackle critical issues related to nutrition, food security, and shelter; enhance water and sanitation services; offer market-based cash assistance to help affected communities obtain essential supplies; and support critical protection services for Haiti’s most vulnerable populations, particularly survivors of gender-based violence.
Currently, around 5.5 million individuals in Haiti require immediate humanitarian assistance due to a multifaceted crisis driven by civil unrest, disease, economic struggles, and organized crime. This situation, exacerbated by recurring natural disasters such as droughts, earthquakes, and hurricanes, has resulted in severe shortages of essential goods and heightened food insecurity throughout the nation.
The ongoing violence has significantly hindered access to crucial healthcare services, leading to the closure of numerous hospitals and clinics, disrupted supply chains, elevated prices for staple foods, and decreased agricultural productivity.
This new funding builds upon previous commitments exceeding US$105 million this year, bringing the total USAID humanitarian assistance for Haiti this fiscal year to over US$165 million.
Recently, a report has highlighted alarming levels of insecurity and sexual violence confronted by displaced women in Haiti. The instability has resulted in a dramatic increase in sexual violence against women and girls, as armed gangs continue to target vulnerable populations.
A revealing report indicates that approximately 300,000 displaced women and girls are facing dire living conditions amid ongoing political turmoil, escalating gang violence, and the impending hurricane season.
Women and girls represent more than half of the 580,000 displaced individuals in Haiti, and an assessment underscores the heightened risks of sexual and gender-based violence faced by those living in makeshift camps lacking essential resources.
The survey was conducted in April across the six most populous displacement sites in Port-au-Prince.
Additionally, the Ambassador announced that the US Department of Defense would significantly increase the provision of armored vehicles to the Kenyan-led, UN-backed multinational mission assisting the Haitian National Police in combating rampant gang violence in Haiti.
