UN: “Health System in Haiti on the Verge of Collapse”

The United Nations (UN) announced that the health system in Haiti is on the verge of collapse as violence escalates.
Violent incidents caused by gangs and anti-government protests in Haiti have plunged the country into chaos. Due to the ongoing events, the state of emergency in the capital, Port-au-Prince, was extended until April 3rd. Under the state of emergency, all protests are banned, and security forces have been instructed to arrest those who disobey the curfew.
In Port-au-Prince, where street clashes are occurring, a food warehouse was looted, and many vehicles were set on fire. Due to the closure of fuel stations, people have started buying gasoline from street vendors using plastic containers.
In a statement by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), it was noted that due to shortages of personnel, equipment, beds, blood, and medicines, the country’s health system is “on the verge of collapse,” making it difficult to treat those injured in the clashes.
In a statement by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), it was mentioned that vital equipment, medical supplies, and food-carrying trucks are stranded at the Port-au-Prince port. The statement also indicated that sea transportation has been suspended due to security risks.

Prime Minister Unable to Return to the Country
Last Thursday, the streets in Haiti were stirred up as Prime Minister Ariel Henry traveled to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to discuss the deployment of a multinational security force to the country. In raids by gangs demanding Henry’s resignation on two prisons, 12 people lost their lives, and at least 4,000 prisoners escaped. Due to the escalating violence, a state of emergency and curfew were declared nationwide for 72 hours on Sunday. Thousands of people have been displaced due to the violence.
In a statement from the US Department of State, it was mentioned that Ariel Henry, who has been in Puerto Rico since Tuesday, spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the phone yesterday. According to the statement, Blinken emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the transition to a more inclusive government in the country during the conversation.