Affected areas have become dangerous as pro-government armed civilians are believed to associate themselves with the police in trying to regain control. Number of victims remains uncertain. Residents take advantage of the chaos to loot shops, public buildings, private homes, lottery booths and shipping containers.
UN Inter-Agency Mission 4. In particular, the mission is concerned about access to vulnerable populations, poor communications, as well as growing insecurity in affected areas. Due to these conditions, the distribution of equipment, medical supplies and consumer goods is hampered. The mission will attempt to conduct assessments and secure reliable information on the evolving crisis in order to ensure that appropriate response and resource mobilization efforts are undertaken as required.
Current crisis situation assessment Health 5. Several hospitals have been the target of protestors and staff have voiced concern for their own safety. The university hospital of Port-au-Prince has not been functioning for several weeks.
Most of the hospitals currently still operable are private institutions and severely over-stretched in their capacity to provide essential medical services. In any case, the most vulnerable cannot afford their services. A first evaluation has revealed specific needs in water supply, essential drugs, blood banks, and refrigeration. Training of health providers has been organized with ICRC assistance in order to provide them with emergency assistance skills. Three hundred Cuban doctors continue to work and have received basic medicines to support public hospitals.
Moreover, the distribution of condoms and contraceptive means is threatened. Food Security 8. Mounting insecurity will further jeopardize food security and domestic harvests. Transportation and distribution problems will also affect food supply nationwide. Some cities are already reported to be confronted with food shortages and significant price increases of essential commodities. Despite growing insecurity, WFP is still able to deliver food to some 77, people in the poorest areas surrounding Port-Au-Prince.
