UN Says Heavy Rains Causing Widespread Destruction in Haiti

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations on Monday said that heavy rains over the past few days have caused widespread flooding, damaging homes, crops and vital infrastructure in Haiti’s Nord-Est Department.

Heavy rains have caused widespread damage in HaitiStéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, told the daily news briefing that since 5 May, more than 4,300 families have been affected across the towns of Ouanaminthe and Ferrier, where more than 3,900 homes were inundated.

“In some areas, floodwaters reached entire neighborhoods, destroying household belongings and leaving many without shelter,”  Dujarric said, adding that “initial assessments indicate severe impacts on livelihoods, including the loss of livestock and the destruction of small-scale farms.

“Key roads were also damaged, hindering access to affected communities. While no fatalities have been reported, local authorities warn that river levels remain high and weather conditions remain unstable.”

He sai the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is supporting local authorities and partners to coordinate the response, “but we need additional support to scale up life-saving assistance and strengthen preparedness, particularly as the rainy and hurricane seasons is fast approaching”.

Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes as gangs, particularly in the capital, Port au Prince are involved in criminal activities aimed at overthrowing the government.