Port-au-Prince, June 27: United Nations humanitarian officials have reported that escalating armed clashes between rival factions in Haiti have forced thousands to flee their homes.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated on Friday that, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 2,600 people were displaced last week in the Artibonite department. More than three-quarters of these individuals sought refuge in the Marchand Dessalines commune.
OCHA expressed serious concerns regarding the safety of individuals amid the ongoing violence in the Artibonite department.
The IOM noted that since June 13, armed confrontations have resumed in Cité Soleil, leading to the displacement of over 5,000 people in the West department. Thousands had previously left their homes between March and May to escape similar armed violence.
According to the news agency Xinhua, OCHA reported that the continuous violence has severely impacted health services, particularly for women and girls.
Due to the violence, the non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) temporarily suspended services at its maternity center in Cité Soleil on June 19. This disruption has hindered access to maternal and reproductive health services for thousands of women living in one of Port-au-Prince’s most densely populated areas. Additionally, the number of injured individuals seeking treatment at health centers has increased.
The IOM reported that over 25,500 people were forcibly returned last month, bringing the total number of forcibly returned individuals this year to over 117,000, of which 24% are women and nearly 8% are children.
OCHA stated that despite significant access challenges, it continues to work with humanitarian partners to assess needs and deliver assistance to affected populations. It also highlighted that only 27% of the $880 million humanitarian appeal for Haiti in 2026 has been funded so far.
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