The UN remains deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating security situation amid ongoing gang violence and police clashes in some parts of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, its spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, has said.

Mr Dujarric, in a statement on Friday, said Haitian National Police had been able to push back coordinated gang attacks on key infrastructure, including the national airport.

“We are, however, very worried about reports of gangs having breached and looted Port-au-Prince’s seaport, where operations have been at a standstill for days,” he said.

According to Mr Dujarric, the secretary-general reiterates his calls on the government and all national stakeholders to agree on immediate steps to advance the political process that will lead to elections.

He also reiterated the need for urgent international action, including immediate financial support for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which is desperately needed to tackle insecurity in Haiti.

“I can confirm also that the United Nations has been invited to attend the meeting organised by CARICOM that will take place on Monday, and that meeting will take place at CARICOM Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.

“The Chef de Cabinet, Courtenay Rattray, will attend the meeting along with several international partners to foster support towards the restoration of democratic institutions in Haiti in the shortest possible amount of time,’’ Mr Dujarric said.

He added, “On the humanitarian front, we and our partners continue to support civilians despite the ongoing violence and limited access.”

In a statement issued this morning in Port-au-Prince, the UN team said gender-based violence protection and services had been reduced or suspended for security and access reasons.

The team said if violence continues in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, about 3,000 pregnant women could be denied access to essential healthcare.

On Thursday, the World Food Programme and its partners managed to deliver food to over 7,000 people.

Earlier this month, food rations were also provided to 9,000 people in Cité Soleil, including pregnant women and orphans, through local faith-based organisations. More aid distributions are planned in the coming days.

The humanitarian community reiterated the call to all parties to allow for safe and unhindered access to all people in need, in line with humanitarian principles and norms and, frankly, basic decency. 

(NAN)