UNITED NATIONS: The UN children’s agency chief offered a dire assessment on Sunday of the chaotic situation in Haiti, saying it was “almost like a scene out of the dystopian film ‘Mad Max,'” which showed a violent and lawless post-apocalyptic future.
During an appearance on CBS talk show “Face the Nation,” the executive director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, painted a bleak picture of Haiti’s plight, highlighting widespread hunger, malnutrition, and the inability to deliver sufficient aid due to gang control over significant parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and key transportation routes.
Russell emphasized that Haiti is facing its worst crisis in decades, marked by a near-collapse of basic services compounded by drought, natural disasters, and political instability. Millions of Haitians are left vulnerable amid the absence of effective governance.
Gang Violence in Haiti
The recent resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, coupled with the formation of a transitional governing council, has left the country in a state of uncertainty. However, the challenges exist as foreign aid workers encounter security threats, including attacks and kidnappings for ransom.
Meanwhile, gangs looted a shipment of essential supplies intended for maternal, neonatal, and child health, further exacerbating the suffering of vulnerable populations.
Against this backdrop, the US Embassy announced plans to organize a charter flight to evacuate American citizens from Haiti, reflecting growing concerns about the deteriorating security situation. Non-essential embassy staff had been evacuated earlier as tensions escalated.
Haiti has been rocked by a wave of violence over the past two weeks, fueled by a gang uprising seeking to overthrow the government. The proliferation of well-armed groups, bolstered by mass prison breaks, has plunged the country into further chaos.
