The UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) said on Wednesday that the air corridor will enable the transport of aid and ensure the safe relocation of staff both in and out of the country.
Speaking to reporters in New York on Thursday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said plans are being made for an aircraft to transport supplies and accommodate staff movements.
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On the ground, relief agencies remain deeply concerned about the welfare of civilians reliant on aid.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 400 incidents hampering access have been recorded across the country since the start of 2024, including more than 70 in the first week of March.
The situation remains unstable in the Caribbean island nation following the recent resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, particularly in the communes of Carrefour, Port-au-Prince and Cité Soleil, while the airport, schools and health facilities remain closed in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
According to the UN migration agency, IOM, 362,000 people are displaced in Haiti, including 15,000 newly homeless in Port-au-Prince.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered 75,000 meals to people affected by the recent violence.
Some 5.5 million people – almost half the population – need humanitarian aid. But the UN’s 2024 humanitarian appeal for $674 million is funded at just 3.2 per cent.
Funding shortages threaten emergency response
Funding shortages are threatening aid efforts on the ground, Mr. Dujarric said in his briefing at UN Headquarters, adding that WFP will be forced to stop serving hot meals to those who urgently need food as soon as next week due to a lack of funds.
“We have colleagues who remain on the ground at great personal risk, feeding people,” he said, noting that WFP was able to provide 13,000 hot meals to those recently displaced by the violence on Wednesday.
He said at least $10 million is needed immediately to continue such emergency assistance, according to WFP.
UN’s changing footprint in Haiti
Flights from the Dominican Republic are now being planned, Mr. Dujarric said.
An aircraft will deliver aid and emergency crisis coordination specialists while evacuating some non-essential UN employees. The staff movement reflects a reconfiguration of the UN presence in Haiti that is underway to replace non-essential staff with experts, he said.
As for the security crisis, he said a lack of funding is a major obstacle to deploy the multinational support mission that the Security Council approved in October.
“We’re not getting the money we need for that mission to be put together,” he said, adding that there is only $10 million in the fund when much more is required.
Nora Chambers, an acclaimed journalist with a focus on global affairs and humanitarian issues, has dedicated over twenty years to reporting from conflict zones worldwide. Her work has spotlighted marginalized communities and highlighted urgent international concerns.
It’s heartbreaking to see the dire situation in Haiti. More efforts are needed to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the crisis. The UN’s initiative to establish an airbridge for aid relief is commendable and crucial for delivering assistance efficiently.
It’s heartbreaking to see the dire situation in Haiti. The efforts put forth by the UN in setting up the airbridge for aid relief are crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of those in need. We must all come together to support and assist the people of Haiti during this crisis.
It’s heartbreaking to see the situation in Haiti. The UN’s effort is crucial in delivering aid to those in need. I hope more funding will be secured soon to support the emergency response.
It’s heart-wrenching to hear about the dire situation in Haiti. The UN’s efforts are commendable, but more needs to be done to address the urgent needs of the millions of people in need of humanitarian aid. Let’s hope that more funding can be secured to support the emergency response efforts.
I strongly believe that the UN’s efforts in setting up an airbridge to deliver aid in Haiti are crucial in addressing the humanitarian crisis. It is imperative for the international community to come together and provide the necessary support to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population. The situation in Haiti is dire, and prompt action is needed to alleviate the suffering of those in need.
It is concerning that despite the urgent need for aid in Haiti, the funding for the humanitarian appeal is only at 3.2 percent. The international community must step up to ensure the safety and well-being of the displaced population and support the relief efforts. Action needs to be taken swiftly to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the crisis.
As an aid worker myself, I am relieved to hear about the UN setting up the airbridge to deliver aid in Haiti. It is crucial for the safety and well-being of both the staff and the civilians in need. However, the funding shortages are deeply concerning and threaten the effectiveness of the emergency response. More support is urgently needed to alleviate the ongoing crisis in Haiti.
It’s heart-wrenching to see the dire situation in Haiti. The UN’s efforts are crucial in providing aid to the people in need. Let’s hope more funding can be secured to support the emergency response effectively.
It’s heart-wrenching to see the grim situation in Haiti. The UN’s efforts are commendable, but the funding gap is alarming. More support is urgently needed to prevent further suffering among the Haitian population.
Will the air corridor established by the UN in Haiti really make a significant impact on delivering aid to those in need, given the funding shortages as mentioned in the article?
Yes, the air corridor set up by the UN in Haiti will indeed play a crucial role in delivering aid efficiently, despite the current funding challenges. It will ensure the swift transport of supplies and safe relocation of personnel, enabling timely assistance to reach those in need.
It’s devastating to see how underfunded the humanitarian aid in Haiti is, with only 3.2% of the required funds secured. More attention and support are urgently needed to assist the 5.5 million people in need during this crisis.
It is crucial that immediate action is taken to address the humanitarian crisis in Haiti. The UN’s efforts to set up an airbridge for aid delivery are commendable, but more resources and funding are urgently needed to support the millions of people in need. The international community must step up to ensure the safety and well-being of the Haitian population.
It’s heart-wrenching to see the dire situation in Haiti. The UN’s effort in setting up the airbridge is crucial to deliver aid promptly and ensure the safety of the staff. We must come together to support the humanitarian mission and provide the necessary resources to those in need.