PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Worsening conditions in Haiti are forcing the United Nations to take a step back and adjust how they provide aid to the violence-torn Caribbean country.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General said, “In light of the significantly deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince, including in neighbourhoods where our offices are located, the United Nations is adapting its operations to ensure the continued delivery of critical humanitarian programmes,”

Haq’s comments come as the country experiences renewed fighting between authorities and gangs. Earlier this week officers attached to the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission along with local Haitian police carried out an unsuccessful operation to apprehend gang boss Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier.

Despite evacuating some of its staff the UN spokesperson stressed that the team was not pulling out completely.

“We want to emphasize that the UN is not leaving Haiti. We continue supporting the Haitian people and authorities, with critical humanitarian assistance and political support to assist Haitian-led efforts to successfully carry out the political transition,” Haq said.

He maintained that essential UN personnel, from agencies and the UN Mission, BINUH, remain in Port-au-Prince to carry out critical activities and that the UN continues to deliver programmes outside the capital.