UNITED NATIONS (CMC) – A delegation from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is leading a humanitarian mission to Haiti this week amid a surge in armed violence that has driven many people to flee their homes, a senior UN official has said.

Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said that the delegation will visit Hinche and Boucan Carré to enhance coordination among partners and inform priorities for response efforts in the Centre Department.

Dujarric, described as “another dire situation” the events unfolding in Haiti, saying that “our humanitarian colleagues are informing us that a surge in armed violence has driven many people to flee their homes in parts of the country’s Centre Department, and that took place during the first half of this month.”

“More than 51,000 people in the communes of Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau were displaced during this period; that’s what the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is telling us,” he added.

The IOM said that the vast majority, 95 per cent, remain in the department, with more than 12,500 people now sheltering in 95 newly established informal sites.

“Our humanitarian colleagues say that the crisis has disrupted public services and education. All schools in Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau are closed, with more than 30 schools in neighbouring communes being used as temporary shelters for displaced families,” Dujarric said.

He said power cuts, disruptions to communications networks, and limited access due to the presence of armed groups continue to hamper response efforts.

“Despite these challenges, we and our partners are scaling up the response to support people impacted by violence in the Centre Department.”

Dujarric said the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has supported five cholera awareness sessions and delivered 1.5 metric tonnes of emergency health kits, enough for 50 surgeries and more than 1,000 consultations.

“Our friends across the street at UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) has dispatched medical and hygiene supplies, and government partners are providing water trucking to displacement sites in Hinche, which is the capital of the Centre Department.

“Meanwhile, our humanitarian colleagues note that protection needs are surging. Women, children and people with disabilities require urgent support, and signs of post-traumatic stress have been reported, particularly in the area of Boucan Carré,” Dujarric added.