Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti’s Centre Department

UN Launches High-Level Humanitarian Mission

The United Nations has launched a high-level humanitarian mission to Haiti this week, as spiraling violence in the country’s Centre Department has forced tens of thousands of people from their homes and crippled basic public services.

The delegation, led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), will travel to Hinche and Boucan Carré to assess the situation on the ground, strengthen coordination with aid partners, and help prioritize critical response efforts.

Speaking at UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesman Stéphane Dujarric painted a grim picture of the unfolding crisis.

Mass Displacement and Humanitarian Needs

“This is another dire situation,” Dujarric said. “Our humanitarian colleagues are telling us that a surge in armed violence earlier this month has driven mass displacement in parts of Haiti’s Centre Department.”

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 51,000 people have been displaced in the communes of Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau alone. Of those, 95 percent remain within the department, with more than 12,500 now living in 95 newly established informal shelters.

Public life has been severely disrupted, with all schools in Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau now closed, and over 30 schools in neighboring communes converted into makeshift shelters for fleeing families.

Challenges to Humanitarian Efforts

Dujarric noted that ongoing power outages, communication blackouts, and limited access due to armed groups are significantly hindering humanitarian efforts.

Response Efforts

Despite these challenges, UN agencies and their partners are working to scale up emergency relief. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has delivered 1.5 metric tonnes of health kits to the area, enough to perform 50 surgeries and more than 1,000 medical consultations, and conducted five cholera awareness sessions in affected communities.

UNICEF has dispatched medical and hygiene supplies, while government partners are trucking water to displacement sites in Hinche, the regional capital.

Protection Needs and Trauma

Dujarric warned that protection needs are escalating, especially for women, children, and people with disabilities, and there are growing reports of post-traumatic stress, particularly in Boucan Carré.

Conclusion

The situation in Haiti’s Centre Department adds to the growing list of humanitarian crises gripping the nation, with aid workers calling for urgent support to meet the soaring needs of a displaced and deeply traumatized population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the current situation in Haiti’s Centre Department?

A: The Centre Department in Haiti is experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to spiraling violence, which has forced tens of thousands of people from their homes and crippled basic public services.

Q: What is the UN doing to respond to the crisis?

A: The UN has launched a high-level humanitarian mission to assess the situation, strengthen coordination with aid partners, and prioritize critical response efforts. UN agencies and their partners are also working to scale up emergency relief, including delivering health kits, medical supplies, and water to affected areas.

Q: What are the most pressing needs of the affected population?

A: The affected population is in need of protection, particularly women, children, and people with disabilities, as well as access to basic services such as healthcare, water, and sanitation. There are also growing reports of post-traumatic stress, particularly in Boucan Carré.