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The Security Council The Security Council Situation Report 31 October 2022
The Situation in Haiti
On 25 July 2022, the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) until 15 July 2023, and requested the Haitian government provide an update before 17 October 2022. Jean Victor Geneus, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, recently addressed the General Assembly stating that Haiti “is facing a multifaceted socio-political and economic crisis that is being exacerbated by insecurity.”
Due to the current economic, political and humanitarian conditions, the situation in Haiti is rapidly deteriorating. Criminal gangs now control approximately two-thirds of Port-au-Prince, Cité Soleil and other areas. On 12 September, gangs took control of the Varreux fuel terminal in Port-au-Prince in an attempt to force Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation. The siege lasted approximately one week before the gangs agreed to a brief cease-fire. However, gangs are not only restricting access to the capital but are also blocking access to other fuel supplies, air and sea ports and transportation hubs.
As a result of the brutal gang violence, thousands of Haitian families have been displaced or are hiding in their homes for safety. Haitians are unable to access healthcare, food, fuel and employment, creating a desperate situation and a dangerous black market economy. The criminal gangs control or influence areas by kidnapping, ransom threats, raping civilians, burning entire neighborhoods and blocking travel.
Soaring food prices, food shortages and a lack of access to aid have created famine conditions. An estimated 4.5 million Haitians are suffering from acute hunger, 1.5 million are considered in emergency medical conditions, and 19,000 citizens in Cité Soleil are on the brink of famine conditions. The food crisis is also reaching rural populations due to below-average harvests and the 14 August earthquake in 2021, as well as the economic and security crises. During one week in September, the World Food Programme lost 2,000 tons, one-third of its entire food supply, from targeted attacks on two of its four warehouses.
The conditions are worsening each day, with both Port-au-Prince and Cité Soleil reporting the first cholera outbreaks in three years. The United Nations and other organizations are currently calling for a relief corridor to allow for the distribution of aid, while the United States and Mexico have prepared a draft resolution calling for sanctions against the gangs.
Bibliography
Atwood, Kylie (15 October 2022). Biden Administration Drafts UNSC Resolution to Support Deployment of Rapid Action Force to Haiti. CNN.
Blockade by Gangs on Fuel Source in Haiti Is Causing Famine (14 October 2022). Al Jazeera.
Coto, Danica (9 October 2022). UN Ponders Rapid Armed Force to Help End Haiti’s Crisis. AP News.
Haiti Needs ‘Robust Support’ to Quell Gang Violence and Ease Political Tensions, Foreign Minister Tells UN (24 September 2022). UN News.
Kestler-D’Amours, Jillian (5 October 2022). Haiti Faces a ‘Cholera Time Bomb’, UN Official Warns. Al Jazeera.
Milfort, Milo, et al. (21 September 2022). Fuel Hike Plunges Haiti Into Near Anarchy. The New York Times.
The Question Concerning Haiti (26 September 2022). UN Web TV.
UN Chief Calls for ‘Enhanced Security Support’ for Haiti, as Crisis Worsens; Cholera Deaths Mount (10 October 2022). UN News.
UN Considers Haiti Sanctions Targeting Gang Leader ‘Barbecue’ (14 October 2022). Al Jazeera.
Epidemiological Update: Resurgence of Cholera in Haiti (15 October 2022). Pan American Health Organization.
United Nations Documents:
United Nations, Security Council (2022). Letter dated 29 April 2022 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. S/2022/369.
United Nations, Security Council (2022). The question concerning Haiti (BINUH). S/RES/2645.
United Nations, Security Council (2021). The question concerning Haiti. S/RES/2600.
United Nations, Security Council (2019). The question concerning Haiti. S/RES/2476.
United Nations, Security Council (2019). United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti Report of the Secretary-General. S/2019/198.
The Situation in Haiti
On 25 July 2022, the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) until 15 July 2023, and requested the Haitian government provide an update before 17 October 2022. Jean Victor Geneus, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, recently addressed the General Assembly stating that Haiti “is facing a multifaceted socio-political and economic crisis that is being exacerbated by insecurity.”
Due to the current economic, political and humanitarian conditions, the situation in Haiti is rapidly deteriorating. Criminal gangs now control approximately two-thirds of Port-au-Prince, Cité Soleil and other areas. On 12 September, gangs took control of the Varreux fuel terminal in Port-au-Prince in an attempt to force Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation. The siege lasted approximately one week before the gangs agreed to a brief cease-fire. However, gangs are not only restricting access to the capital but are also blocking access to other fuel supplies, air and sea ports and transportation hubs.
As a result of the brutal gang violence, thousands of Haitian families have been displaced or are hiding in their homes for safety. Haitians are unable to access healthcare, food, fuel and employment, creating a desperate situation and a dangerous black market economy. The criminal gangs control or influence areas by kidnapping, ransom threats, raping civilians, burning entire neighborhoods and blocking travel.
Soaring food prices, food shortages and a lack of access to aid have created famine conditions. An estimated 4.5 million Haitians are suffering from acute hunger, 1.5 million are considered in emergency medical conditions, and 19,000 citizens in Cité Soleil are on the brink of famine conditions. The food crisis is also reaching rural populations due to below-average harvests and the 14 August earthquake in 2021, as well as the economic and security crises. During one week in September, the World Food Programme lost 2,000 tons, one-third of its entire food supply, from targeted attacks on two of its four warehouses.
The conditions are worsening each day, with both Port-au-Prince and Cité Soleil reporting the first cholera outbreaks in three years. The United Nations and other organizations are currently calling for a relief corridor to allow for the distribution of aid, while the United States and Mexico have prepared a draft resolution calling for sanctions against the gangs.
Bibliography
Atwood, Kylie (15 October 2022). Biden Administration Drafts UNSC Resolution to Support Deployment of Rapid Action Force to Haiti. CNN.
Blockade by Gangs on Fuel Source in Haiti Is Causing Famine (14 October 2022). Al Jazeera.
Coto, Danica (9 October 2022). UN Ponders Rapid Armed Force to Help End Haiti’s Crisis. AP News.
Haiti Needs ‘Robust Support’ to Quell Gang Violence and Ease Political Tensions, Foreign Minister Tells UN (24 September 2022). UN News.
Kestler-D’Amours, Jillian (5 October 2022). Haiti Faces a ‘Cholera Time Bomb’, UN Official Warns. Al Jazeera.
Milfort, Milo, et al. (21 September 2022). Fuel Hike Plunges Haiti Into Near Anarchy. The New York Times.
The Question Concerning Haiti (26 September 2022). UN Web TV.
UN Chief Calls for ‘Enhanced Security Support’ for Haiti, as Crisis Worsens; Cholera Deaths Mount (10 October 2022). UN News.
UN Considers Haiti Sanctions Targeting Gang Leader ‘Barbecue’ (14 October 2022). Al Jazeera.
Epidemiological Update: Resurgence of Cholera in Haiti (15 October 2022). Pan American Health Organization.
United Nations Documents:
United Nations, Security Council (2022). Letter dated 29 April 2022 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. S/2022/369.
United Nations, Security Council (2022). The question concerning Haiti (BINUH). S/RES/2645.
United Nations, Security Council (2021). The question concerning Haiti. S/RES/2600.
United Nations, Security Council (2019). The question concerning Haiti. S/RES/2476.
United Nations, Security Council (2019). United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti Report of the Secretary-General. S/2019/198.