One more bad news, in an already very dark horizon for Haiti.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN mission dedicated to children, announced the theft this Saturday of a container of "essential" supplies intended for mothers and children in Port -au-Prince, the capital.
Today, UNICEF's container, containing crucial supplies for maternal, neonatal, and child health, was looted at Port-au-Prince's main port.
This incident occurred at a critical moment when children needed them the most.
https://t.co/xbo33vuQdW@UNICEF @uniceflac @OCHAHaiti 👇
— UNICEF Haiti (@UNICEFHaiti) March 16, 2024
“The looted container contained essential items for the survival of mothers, newborns and children, including resuscitators and related equipment, as well as essential supplies for early childhood development and education, equipment for water,” lists the NGO in a press release.
The theft occurred early Saturday morning in the city's port, controlled by armed groups.
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“Airlift” to come
“Depriving children of vital medical supplies while the health system collapses is a violation of their rights,” deplores Bruno Maes, UNICEF representative in Haiti.
In the city, vandalized hospitals are forced to close and there are only two functional operating theaters left, according to the NGO.
Faced with these problems of insecurity in the delivery of aid, the UN also announced on Wednesday the establishment as soon as possible of an “air bridge” between Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic.
The country has been the scene of an outbreak of violence by criminal gangs in recent weeks, while Haitians await the establishment of a transitional presidential council after the announcement of the resignation of contested Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is now sending current affairs.