On Wednesday, October 21, during the UN’s daily press briefing, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated—citing information from humanitarian colleagues on the ground—that violence continues to cause population displacement in Haiti’s Artibonite department, following an armed attack that took place earlier this week in Petite-Rivière.

"This is what the authorities are reporting to us. Sporadic gunfire is still being reported, hindering movement within the town. Our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are working with their partners and local authorities to monitor the evolving situation and assess the needs of displaced persons."

Furthermore, Haitian authorities have declared a state of emergency, in effect until December 18 in the West, Artibonite, and Centre departments, as a measure to combat insecurity. They have urged the population to remain where they are, while acknowledging the need to support citizens in light of measures that might appear contrary to the public interest.

Dujarric noted that communities in Gros-Morne, also located in the Artibonite department, continue to suffer the consequences of violence that erupted in late September.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 10,000 people have been displaced, with the vast majority being hosted by local families.

"Despite all the challenges and the insecurity, humanitarian operations have been able to resume. In October, our partners distributed 1,500 hot meals as well as hygiene kits to displaced families. For the coming week, they plan to distribute more than 2,000 kits containing kitchen utensils and plastic tarpaulins."

Dujarric added that while road access to populations in need remains possible, insecurity continues to pose risks to humanitarian operations.

"Once again, we need safe, rapid, and unimpeded access to those in need of humanitarian aid," Dujarric concluded. Meanwhile, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) is holding a series of meetings with the government, security force officials, foreign partners, political actors, and representatives of civil society.

The CEP indicated that these discussions are aimed at releasing an updated electoral calendar—including a new date for the elections—before the end of October.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council was informed that armed groups are adapting to intensified security operations by increasing reprisals against civilians and expanding their control over rural areas.

This briefing comes two weeks after the indefinite postponement of presidential and legislative elections that had originally been scheduled for December 13. The top UN official in the country warned against setting new dates without a realistic assessment of the feasibility of holding an election.

Haiti has not held national elections since 2016; however, according to Carlos Ruiz Massieu, a senior UN official in Haiti, preparations are underway.

He noted that more than 35 political parties and groups, as well as 3,500 candidates, have registered. However, as of October 5, only 759,257 potential voters were on the electoral rolls, out of an estimated electorate of 6.5 million people.

Insecurity and mass population displacement further complicate the organization of the vote.

"Setting new dates for elections without a realistic assessment of their feasibility will only erode public trust and the credibility of Haitian institutions," he warned.

HL/ HaitiLibre