Get the Latest Scoop: Reaching Out to Haiti, Lebanon’s Protest Buzz, Iran’s Freedom Bash, and Health Care for the Displaced
UN humanitarians on Monday made clear the emergency response in Haiti’s capital continues despite ongoing insecurity caused by months of gang-led violence there.
Since early March, the World Food Programme (WFP) has reached more than 500,000 people, providing school meals, social protection and emergency activities nationwide.
The agency has also served some 500,000 hot meals to over 76,000 internally displaced persons in 57 sites in the greater Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
Aid partners have also delivered nearly four million litres of drinking water to 29 displacement sites benefiting more than 60,000 people, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.
Gender-based violence
He added that UN children’s agency UNICEF’s response to a proliferation of gender-based violence has reached over 4,500 people, including psychosocial support. This includes passing on information about risks and services to combat gender-based violence in communities.
The UN sexual and reproductive agency (UNFPA) continues to provide services through two hotlines – one for psychological support and the other dealing with referrals and case documentation.
‘Unrelenting cycle of strikes and counterstrikes’ in Lebanon must end
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Marking six months of escalating exchanges of fire across the Blue Line that marks the frontier between south Lebanon and northern Israel, two top UN officials in the country have issued an urgent appeal to all sides to recommit to ending hostilities, in line with Security Council resolution 1701.
In a joint statement on Monday, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, and the Head of the Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, said combatants needed to use all means available to avoid further escalation, while there is still space for diplomacy.
Dozens of civilians have tragically lost their lives while many more have lost homes and livelihoods, they added.
Suffering has gone on too long
“The unrelenting cycle of strikes and counterstrikes in breach of the cessation of hostilities constitute the most serious violation of Security Council resolution 1701 since its adoption in 2006,” the statement continued, referring to the last major conflict involving Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.
“The violence and suffering has gone on too long. It must stop,” they declared.
Both officials underscored the importance of focusing anew “on the overarching objective of a permanent ceasefire”, saying the UN stands ready to support such efforts.
“A political process” anchored in the resolution “is now more crucial than ever to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure long-term stability”.
UNEP welcomes imminent release of conservationists from Iranian prison
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said on Monday it welcomed the impending release of four conservationists imprisoned in Iran, including former UNEP colleague, Niloufar Bayani.
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According to the announcement from Tehran, Ms. Bayani will be freed along with Taher Ghadirian, Houman Jokar and Sepideh Kashani.
“UNEP looks forward to their effective release in the coming days,” the agency said.
Ms. Bayani and seven environmental conservationists were imprisoned in February 2018 and subsequently sentenced to lengthy jail terms.
Cheetah conservation
Between 2012 and 2017, Ms. Bayani worked as a consultant based out of UNEP’s Geneva office, returning to her home country to work on efforts to conserve the Persian or Asian cheetah, one of the most endangered large cat species in the world.
She was arrested in 2018 along with other internationally recognised experts in the field of nature conservation who have all dedicated their lives to conserving Iran’s wildlife, UNEP said.
“Over the past six years, we at UNEP have consistently called for the release of Ms. Bayani and the other conservationists,” the statement continued.
“As our natural world faces grave threats and the world reels from the impact of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, desertification and dust storms and pollution and waste, environmental conservationists are critical allies in protecting the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. They are essential to building a sustainable world for current and future generations.”
Healthcare and education ‘inaccessible’ for displaced
Only one in two countries offer guaranteed healthcare and educational access to all migrants, UN migration experts said on Monday.
In a new report into migrants’ rights and opportunities, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) found that only 18 per cent of European countries provided access to healthcare and just 27 per cent offered free schooling.
That’s well below the 70 per cent of countries offering medical coverage in the Americas, where primary and secondary education is available in 58 per cent of the region’s States.
Although the constitutions of many countries prohibit any discrimination based on nationality, race or place of birth, guaranteed access for migrants to health and education is rarely specified in other legislation, although IOM pointed out that The Gambia and Portugal have done so since 2008 and 2020, respectively.
Explicit guarantees
All countries should explicitly guarantee essential services for all migrants, IOM said, just as Brazil did in 2020, “for migrant children and adolescents, refugees, stateless people and asylum-seekers” wanting to go to school.
Portugal in 2019 also amended health laws to include “foreign permanent…and temporary residents, stateless persons, applicants for international protection and migrants”.
IOM’s findings came from surveying 100 countries, including 37 from Africa, 27 from the Americas, 25 from Asia and the Pacific and 11 from Europe.
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Is it possible for the aid response in Haiti to be effective despite the ongoing insecurity caused by gang-led violence there?
Yes, it is crucial for the aid response in Haiti to be persistent and adaptable in the face of ongoing insecurity. The dedicated efforts of humanitarian organizations like the World Food Programme and UNICEF to provide essential services and support are making a significant impact in the midst of challenging circumstances.
How effective has the emergency response been in light of the ongoing insecurity caused by gang-led violence in Haiti’s capital?
The emergency response in Haiti’s capital has been highly effective despite the ongoing insecurity caused by gang-led violence. The World Food Programme has reached over 500,000 people, providing vital assistance in various forms. Aid partners have also delivered millions of litres of drinking water to those in need. The efforts from UNICEF and UNFPA to combat gender-based violence are also commendable.
It’s heartwarming to see the efforts being made by humanitarian organizations in Haiti despite the ongoing insecurity. The assistance provided, especially in terms of food, water, and support for gender-based violence, is truly commendable. Kudos to all those involved in the relief efforts!
It’s heartwarming to see the efforts of the UN agencies in providing crucial aid to the people of Haiti despite the ongoing insecurity. The work being done to reach out and support the displaced populations is truly commendable.
It’s heartwarming to see the dedication of UN agencies in providing critical aid to the people of Haiti amidst such challenging circumstances. Gender-based violence prevention efforts are crucial in times of crisis, and it’s commendable to know that support and services are being offered to combat this issue. Kudos to all the humanitarian workers involved in these essential initiatives.
It’s heartwarming to see the continuous efforts being made to provide essential aid in Haiti, despite the challenging conditions. The dedication of the World Food Programme and other aid partners is truly commendable, and I hope that their work can bring some relief to the affected communities.
It’s heartening to see the efforts being made by humanitarian agencies in Haiti despite the ongoing violence. Providing essential services like food, water, and support for gender-based violence is crucial in times of crisis. Let’s hope for an end to the conflicts so that these efforts can reach even more people in need.
It’s heartwarming to see the efforts being made in Haiti despite the challenging circumstances. Providing essential services like food, water, and support for gender-based violence victims is crucial in times of crisis. Kudos to the humanitarian organizations for their dedication!
Do you have any updates on the long-term sustainability of the aid efforts in Haiti amidst the ongoing violence?
Hi EmilySmith, it’s crucial to ensure the sustainability of aid efforts in Haiti despite the challenges posed by ongoing violence. The UN agencies and aid partners have been working tirelessly to provide essential services and support to the affected population, including food distribution, access to clean water, and medical assistance. It’s imperative that the international community continues to show solidarity and commitment to rebuilding Haiti and supporting its people during these difficult times.
It’s heartwarming to see the UN agencies continuing their vital work in Haiti despite the challenging circumstances. Providing essential services like food, water, and support for victims of gender-based violence is crucial in times of crisis.