The United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, Ulrika Richardson, says Haitians want to be able to live, not just survive.
“The situation in Haiti is very critical, especially in the capital,” said Richardson, adding “You could even say that there are two realities in the country.”
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Richardson said gangs continue to exert their influence and control over many districts of the capital, adding “This means that, for the population, life is almost impossible, with the risk of being killed by stray bullets, but also of being attacked and raped”.
“Many neighborhoods are completely under the control of gangs who impose brutal violence. And they don’t stop themselves from gang-raping women and children. They recruit children into their ranks, and that is extremely worrying.
“There are many displaced people. It is estimated that there are over 700,000 internally displaced people in the country. On the other hand, the reality is a little different in the rest of the country where life goes on, even though there are many displaced people fleeing to the south and even to the north.”
Richardson said around 1.6 million people in the French-speaking country are not getting enough to eat while the capital, Port-au-Prince, is in the grip of armed gang violence that has claimed thousands of lives since January this year.
To combat this violence, the UN Security Council authorized a non-UN multinational security support mission. The first troops were deployed earlier this year under the leadership of Kenya.
“Haitian people want what you and I want. They want to be able to live, not just survive. Young people say that they have dreams and that they want the opportunity to fulfill them, just like everyone else in the world,” Richardson said.
“Parents want their children to go to school. It’s a sign of hope for them. The planned reopening of classes in October took place in very difficult conditions, and not all the children were able to return to school.
“So, this means that Haitians want to live in dignity. They want to be able to leave their homes without risking their lives. They want to be able to live, have a job, and go to work,” Richarson said.
She explained that further investment is needed in the non-UN multinational mission in Haiti, calling on all member-states to contribute to the mission to ensure that it has the resources it needs to support the Haitian National Police on the ground “who are already doing an excellent job in very difficult conditions”.
The resident coordinator said her team is currently working with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), several agencies in the UN country team in Haiti, BINUH, and other partners to identify the best mechanisms for taking care of children and young people, including those who have been recruited into gangs, “so that they can have the opportunity to have a better future”.
She said this may involve formal or non-formal schooling.
“We want to give them the chance to dream of a better tomorrow by carrying out noble activities with dignity,” said Richardson, adding that for her and for many of those who work in Haiti, it is frustrating to see the situation as it is now.
“The country has potential. It’s a country with a noble history. It was one of the most avant-garde countries in terms of human rights and freedom, principles that are very close to what our values are today.
“So, it’s frustrating to see all this violence. But even in a context like this, we manage to reach the population in the capital and in the rest of the country, which requires a different approach,” she said.
“Yes, we are working with the population, including the most vulnerable. We’re working with humanitarian actors who are really trying, and succeeding, to reach the population. I think we’ve succeeded not only because our colleagues are highly motivated, but also because of our strong Haitian partners. And that’s what keeps us motivated.”
Richardson said that while addressing the issue of security, the international community must also work on other issues, such as prevention, the fight against corruption and impunity, and everything to do with the implementation and establishment of the rule of law. CMC
