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The UN’s special representative to Haiti says the country is nearing a “point of no return” and needs more aid to prevent it descending into chaos.
This couldn’t come at a worse time, as the UN and NGOs struggle to plug gaps everywhere (see Bangladesh).
Already one of the world’s poorest countries, Haiti’s security situation has deteriorated rapidly in the face of intensifying gang violence.
Rival armed groups control about 85 per cent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and systematically murder, rape and kidnap civilians.
The crisis has been compounded by cholera outbreaks and political instability. The Kenyan-led police force, approved by the UN, is struggling to push back the gangs.
This is partly a question of resource: the US halted some of the mission’s funding in February and only about 40 per cent of the promised 2,500 officers have been deployed.
Photo credit: Odelyn Joseph/AP
