As the recent surge in gang violence makes the situation in Haiti even more critical, the European Union (EU) has launched a new humanitarian airlift to provide basic necessities to the population from the country.

In total, 5 flights arrived in Cap Haïtien, in the north of the country, the international airport of Port au Prince having been closed since the beginning of March. Flights from Panama brought up to 62 tonnes of medicine, emergency shelter equipment, water and sanitation. Of this total, 24 tonnes of material came from EU stockpiles in Panama, including blankets, hygiene kits and kitchen utensils.

Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, declared : "The EU remains ready to support the people of Haiti by all means in our power. With these five flights, we are delivering much-needed supplies to our partners in the country, where people struggle to access healthcare and other basic services. Preventing the spread of diseases such as cholera is a priority, as is providing emergency shelter for the growing number of people displaced by the ongoing violence."

This humanitarian airlift, as well as in-kind donations, are organized within the framework of the European humanitarian intervention capacity.

IH/ iciHaiti