Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Port au Prince (Fides Service) - The dramatic situation in Haiti is described in a report sent to Fides by Carlo Maria Zorzi, representative in Haiti of Association of Volunteer International Service (AVSI). Here is our English translation of the report:
“ Haiti is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis a week since the first armed attacks in the northern part of the country which is totally isolated and unreachable. It is estimated that as many 260,000 people including 80,000 children are without food. There was a food shortage before the crisis and it has only worsened the already serious situation: drought in some areas and floods in other places turned northern Haiti into an inferno. No one is able to reach the area. The World Food Programme has requested security to fulfil its task to distribute food. The International Red Cross committee has been unable to enter the towns of Gonaives and St Marc, seed beds of violence, although St Marc is surrounded by police. The UN has started stage 4 (evacuation of all ex-patriot personnel) for Gonaives in the hands of the rebels and stage 3 (evacuation of non indispensable personnel and families) in Artibonite province. The rest of the country, including the capital, is still at stage 2 maximum alarm. Cap Haitien and surrounding area is without electricity and fuel. Schools, banks and shops are closed. Fuel is scarce also in Les Cayes, in the south although the violence has not reached this area. This morning barricades on main roads prevented access to the city causing a major traffic jam all the morning. Communications with the north, road and telephone, have been severed. There could be a health-care emergency shortly because hospitals are unable to function without personnel unable to get to work. This evening we expect the outcome of meetings in Washington between Caricom and members of the US and Canadian administration which reportedly want an international police force sent to restore order. The political party led by President Aristide agrees while the Opposition refuses because this would only consolidate the President’s power. At Guantanamo Base in Cuba, the USA have arranged 50.000 places for refugees from Haiti”.
(L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/2/2004, righe 35 parole 459)
