UNHAS Resumes Flights to Haiti as Humanitarian Efforts Continue

Regulatory Issues Resolved

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) says it has resolved regulatory issues and will resume flights to Haiti on Wednesday.

Background

UNHAS provides passenger and light cargo transportation in Haiti for the entire humanitarian community, including local and international nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and UN entities.

Recent Developments

Haiti has faced instability since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and earlier this month, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned flights to Haiti for at least the next 30 days after gunmen fired upon US aircraft landing in the French Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

Humanitarian Efforts Continue

“Despite the temporary suspension of air transport, humanitarian operations continue actively in the Port-au-Prince area, although security conditions are unpredictable. In addition, humanitarian and recovery actions continue uninterrupted in the rest of the country,” said Ulrika Richardson, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti.

Food Assistance

The World Food Programme (WFP) has continued to provide life-saving food assistance to Haitians. Last weekend, the WFP and its partners served 37,935 hot meals at 26 sites in Port-au-Prince and Arcahaie, a record number of hot meals in a single day to people recently displaced by violence.

Additional Efforts

In parallel, WFP and its partners are currently distributing in-kind food assistance to 50,000 people in Croix-de-Bouquets as part of a comprehensive distribution plan that will target more than 146,000 people in various neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince by the end of the month.

Other Initiatives

Across the country, WFP, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education and its partners, continues to provide daily school meals to more than 430,000 schoolchildren in 2,000 schools. Seventy percent of the meals are prepared entirely using locally grown ingredients.

Since November 11, 2024, UNICEF has provided cash transfers to nearly 1,500 displaced people in sites in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, distributed 5,000 hygiene kits, and reached more than 24,000 people. In Saint-Marc in Artibonite, 4,217 children benefit from child-friendly spaces set up by UNICEF.

The United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA) and IOM continue deploying mobile clinics in displacement sites.

Conclusion

The United Nations and its partners are committed to providing essential assistance to the people of Haiti, despite the challenges they face. Efforts will continue to support the humanitarian community and the people of Haiti.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the current situation in Haiti?
A: Haiti has faced instability since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and earlier this month, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned flights to Haiti for at least the next 30 days after gunmen fired upon US aircraft landing in the French Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

Q: What is being done to support the people of Haiti?
A: The United Nations and its partners are providing life-saving food assistance, shelter, and other essential services to the people of Haiti.

Q: How long will the FAA ban on flights to Haiti remain in place?
A: The FAA ban on flights to Haiti is in place for at least the next 30 days.