Haiti: gang violence worsens in central Port-au-Prince

The gangs intensified their attack on the center of the capital of Haitiburning down a school and looting pharmacies across the street from the largest public hospital in the country.

The attacks, which began on Monday and continued into Tuesday morning, mark almost a month since armed men began attacking facilities in Port Prince including police stations, the main international airport – which remains closed – and the two largest prisons in the country Haitifrom where more than 4,000 prisoners escaped.

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“Violence and instability in Haiti have consequences far beyond the risk of violence itself“, he said Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, in a statement on Tuesday. “The situation is creating a child health and nutrition crisis that could cost countless children their lives.”.

The number of children in Haiti estimated to suffer from severe acute malnutrition has increased by 19% this year, according to UNICEF. Furthermore, around 1.64 million people are on the brink of starvation.

“This malnutrition crisis is entirely man-madeRussell indicated.

The violence has forced the closure of roads and hospitals and prevented aid groups from delivering humanitarian aid at precisely the time it is needed most.

Only two of Haiti’s five hospitals are functioning, according to UNICEF. Additionally, violence in Port-au-Prince prevented the distribution of health and nutrition products to at least 58,000 severely malnourished children, the agency said.

MORE INFORMATION: Haiti: at least seven dead appear on the streets of Petion-ville, in Port-au-Prince

However, member countries of the regional group known as Caricom They called for speeding up the formation of a transitional presidential council, hoping it would soon help end the violence.

The council would be responsible for electing a new prime minister and a new council of ministers. The Prime Minister Ariel Henriquewho was prevented from returning to Haiti when the attacks began, said he will resign once the council is created.

However, there remain several obstacles to the creation of the council, which would be composed of nine members, seven of whom have the right to vote.

Monday, René Jean Jumeauwho was appointed to represent Haiti’s religious sector in a position that would not have voting power, resigned.

“The need for concrete action is too great to remain passive, as if we were a spectator.”, he expressed in the resignation letter delivered to the board.

About that, Himmler Rebuformer colonel of the Haitian army and president of the Great Movement for the Haitian Revolutionparty that won a seat on the council, predicted Tuesday that the council will fail.

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Speaking to RFM 104.9 Radio, Rébu indicated that employees should quickly move to Plan B, which, according to him, would involve the attribution of powers to a magistrate of the Supreme Court of Haiti to select the country’s new leaders.

Among the supporters of this plan is the Haiti Protestant Federationwho issued a statement Monday in favor of selecting a Supreme Court justice to serve as acting president and help elect a prime minister.

Caribbean officials said they have no additional meetings scheduled with board nominees this week as they asked for more time to resolve internal issues they have not identified.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.