The UN Secretary General warns that Haiti is experiencing a “nightmare” situation

First modification: 10/17/2022 – 21:04Last modification: 10/17/2022 – 21:02

“The situation is absolutely dramatic. The port is blocked by gangs that prevent fuel from leaving (…) With no fuel, there is no water. And there is an outbreak of cholera,” whose treatment requires good hydration, he told reporters. during a public appearance.

“So it’s an absolutely nightmarish situation for the people of Haiti, especially in Port-au-Prince,” the capital, he added.

The Varreux oil terminal, the most important in Haiti, has been blocked by armed criminal gangs since mid-September, paralyzing the entire country.

In this context, the secretary general recently called in a letter to the Security Council to “urgently examine the Haitian government’s request to deploy without delay a specialized international armed force to deal with the humanitarian crisis.”

Thousands of Haitians demonstrated the next day in the streets to denounce the government’s request for foreign aid.

“In the current circumstances, we need an armed action to liberate the port and allow a humanitarian corridor to be established,” Guterres insisted on Monday.

“I am talking about something that must be done with strict humanitarian criteria, regardless of the political dimensions of the problem that must be resolved by the Haitians themselves,” he specified.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss the situation in Haiti this Monday afternoon.

According to a draft resolution obtained by the AFP news agency, still under discussion and to be put to a vote later, Council members could “encourage” governments to “urgently consider” deploying a multinational force in Haiti.

The text focuses mainly on the establishment of a “selective” arms embargo, aimed at certain individuals and entities.

It also provides for a travel ban and the freezing of assets of individuals and entities linked to armed groups and criminal networks.

The only one mentioned is Jimmy Cherizier, nicknamed ‘Barbacoa’, “one of the most influential gang leaders”, whose gang blocks the Varreux terminal.

Regarding cholera, which returned to Haiti after three years of absence, Guterres’ spokesman reported on Monday 66 confirmed cases, another 564 suspected cases and 22 deaths, especially in and around Port-au-Prince.

To these cases are added those of the capital prison: 271 suspected cases, 12 confirmed, and 14 deaths.

with AFP