Highlights:
· The recent attacks and generalized insecurity are pushing more and more people to leave the capital to find shelter in other parts of the country, which poses the risk of passing through gang-controlled routes:
o The UN Migration Agency’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) has launched data collection at several of the most used bus stations in the capital to track the movement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs):
ü DTM as of March 14th has observed the movements of some 17,000 people leaving the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
ü 83% of this population left Port-au-Prince because of violence and insecurity, while 76% were already internally displaced before leaving.
· On March 16th, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that one of their 17 containers was looted at Port-au-Prince's main port:
o This container held essential items for maternal, neonatal, and child survival, including resuscitators and related equipment, as well as critical supplies for early childhood development and education, water equipment, and others.
o There are currently over 260 humanitarian-owned containers that are under the control of armed groups at the port.
· Healthcare and Public Health Update:
o Six of 10 hospitals across the country are not functional:
ü The Bernard Mevs hospital has gradually restarted its activities, with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
ü Fontaine Hospital has reopened exclusively for the care of pregnant women.
ü Saint Camille hospital has received a greater number of people wounded by firearms following the violence that started February 29; these patients were treated free of charge.
ü Haiti’s State University Hospital, which has been closed since February 29th, is taking actions to reopen, which will help relieve the overwhelmed Hôpital Universitaire La Paix (HUP).
o There remains a critical shortage of blood products which is hindering surgeries, including those for individuals wounded in the crossfire.
o More hospitals have requested assistance from the PAHO.
o The continued insecurity has heavily impacted the continuity of HIV/tuberculosis services.
· Food Security Update:
o The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that as of March 19th, food rations were provided to 25,000 people in Cité Soleil, Port-au-Prince.
o WFP as of March 17th has reached 319,000 people with emergency food assistance and provided 115,000 hot meals to IDPs.
· The U.S. State Department on March 16th reported that they are attempting to arrange a charter flight for U.S. citizens. The Port-au-Prince airport remains closed, so they are considering other departure airports. U.S. citizens that need assistance to evacuate are asked to complete an intake form.
Sources:
· Haiti Emergency Situation Report No. 8 (As of 18 March 2024)
· Haiti – Mobility Tracking: Weekly update on the displacement situation in sites of the Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince (15 March 2024)
· OCHA Haiti Twitter Page
· WFP Haiti Twitter Page
· IOM Haiti Twitter Page
· U.S. State Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs Twitter Page
· PolitiFact Twitter Page
Resources:
PolitiFact, Cannibalism in Haiti? Fact-checking the unfounded claims (New)
PolitoFact, No, CNN did not announce that presidents of Kenya and U.S. discussed invading Haiti by sea (New)
Partners in Health, Monetary Donations for Haiti