UNITED NATIONS (CMC) – The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Haiti (OCHA) says gang activities in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country continue to fuel violence, displace families and disrupt much-needed humanitarian operations across multiple parts of the country.

Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, told the daily news briefing on Tuesday that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) noted that as of four days ago, more than 200,000 men, women and children were living in spontaneous displacement sites across the country.

He said that these sites have nearly doubled between March and April, from 119 to 228 and that the IOM says this is largely due to the fact that more people have been forced to flee following attacks in the Centre Department.

“Also important to note that more than 90 per cent of the people who have sought refuge at spontaneous sites are concentrated in the capital, Port-au-Prince,” Dujarric said, adding that in the commune of Kenscoff in the Ouest Department, armed attacks last week displaced nearly 1,000 people, with half of them finding shelter with families, while others moved to three newly established sites.

He said police vehicles were set on fire, and multiple security incidents resulting in casualties were reported.

“That is what local partners are telling us. The ongoing insecurity continues to impact humanitarian operations,” Dujarric said, adding that between 21 March and 25 April, a humanitarian partner has recorded 15 incidents affecting NGOs (non-governmental organisations), including trucks being blocked, supplies burned, crossfire incidents, and attacks against NGO vehicles that were clearly labelled as such.

Dujarric said access to critical roads remains extremely limited, forcing the reliance on costly air transport.

“OCHA is working with all parties to sustain access for relief supplies and personnel movements into the affected areas. They are also coordinating with its partners to strengthen efforts for an effective, targeted humanitarian response, as security conditions allow, and, of course, as money allows it,” Dujarric added.