United Nations humanitarian agencies in Haiti are "ready to provide assistance" to communities in the armed conflict between two rival gangs in Cité Soleil, "as soon as they can gain access to the affected people."

Fighting which since July 8 has resulted in the death of 99 people and left 135 injured, according to data reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA - Haiti).

According to an OCHA report from July 7 to 14, more than 2,500 people have also been forced to flee their homes due to the armed conflict. Twenty people were reported missing and Friday evening, July 15, after a brief lull, clashes resumed between the G-9 and G-Pép gang coalitions.

A large part of the population of Cité Soleil (± 300,000 inhabitants) remains trapped, under the pressure of gangs" indicates OCHA, stressing that "the people in some areas have not had access to food or water since July 8 [...] One child in five is suffering from severe malnutrition. [...] WAs people continue to suffer in Cité Soleil, insecurity is preventing humanitarian agencies from entering Cité Soleil," said Ulrika Richardson, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti "[...]The people of Cité Soleil are amongst the most impacted by the current waves of violence in Haiti [...] and they desperately need support at this difficult time, particularly the children who increasingly suffer acute malnutrition -1 out 5 children), as well as the many women and girls who are raped and boys who are being mobilised by the gangs”.

OCHA recalls that Cité Soleil is not the only neighborhood where gangs operate with complete impunity and that approximately 1.5 million people, or nearly 50% of the capital's population, are directly affected by the violence, and see their freedom of movement and access to basic services restricted.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), half a million children in the capital are out of school due to insecurity.

HL/ HaitiLibre