©️Antoine Lemonnier
New York, 19 June 2025.- Already faced with gang violence and a serious humanitarian crisis, Haiti is entering a high-risk cycle season without the means to protect citizens. The United Nations sounds alarmed at the lack of resources for humanitarian actors, unable to respond effectively to the needs of a population suffering from insecurity and hunger.
According to a communiqué issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Haiti is defenceless in the face of a cyclonic season that will last until the end of November. Forecasts show 12 to 19 storms in the Atlantic, several of which could reach dangerous intensities.
« The humanitarian community strongly supports the Haitian people »said Ulrika Richardson, UN humanitarian coordinator in Haiti. « However, without a significant increase in resources, our ability to provide timely and dignified assistance will remain limited. Urges government and our partners to act decisively, in a coordinated and united manner, to support the most vulnerable in the face of a likely climate emergency», she continued.
However, the situation is alarming; gang violence has displaced 1.3 million people, more than half of whom are children. About 230 thousand Haitians live in precarious shelters, unsuitable for the weather. Despite some preparatory efforts, humanitarian stocks are at their lowest level: few basic equipment is available and no food reserves have been built due to lack of funding, explains the organization.
The United Nations launched a humanitarian response plan of $908 million for 2025, but by mid-June only 8 per cent of the funds were mobilized. This budget deficit seriously undermines disaster response capacity. Humanitarian workers fear an announced tragedy, made inevitable by the lack of resources.
W.E
