Haiti Weekly Emergency Situation Report No. 50

6-19 December 2005

Highlights

The entire country remains in UN security phase III.

The general security environment continues to be relatively stable although tension seems on the rise again in this period before Christmas. However, the situation remains volatile and kidnappings continue to be a high risk factor, especially in Port-au-Prince, with a step increase in December and a total of over 30 cases reported during the reporting period. MINUSTAH and Haitian National Police (HNP) continue their joint efforts to reduce the number of kidnappings.

Although UN agencies and international staff have not been directly targeted, the potential threat continues to exist and measures to mitigate the risk have been taken. UN staff are requested to avoid movements in non cars.

In Port-au-Prince, a significantly increased number of incidents targeting MINUSTAH/HNP occurred during the reporting period in Cite Soleil and Cite Militaire areas. Criminal activities continue to be widespread in Martissant, where gangs are fighting to get control of the area, in Cite Militaire as well as in Cite Soleil where MINUSTAH has further increased its operations.

The security situation during the reporting period continues to have a non-negligible impact on WFP Office & S/Office operations. Administrative, monitoring and logistic activities are running escorted as required due to the situation in some areas, while restriction measures continue to be in place in Port-au-Prince in areas such as Cite Militaire, Route Nationale 1 and Shodecosa, where WFP main warehouses are located.

UN activities in the area close to Cite Militaire are carefully monitored considering the current security situation. Coordination case by case, use of military escorts and personnel protection measures are in place to mitigate the risks.

Nevertheless WFP operations ran relatively smooth and commodities deliveries continued through WFP escorted convoys and private unescorted trucks. The transfer of commodity from the port containers terminals to WFP warehouses remained rather smooth during the entire period.

In Cap Haitien where the WFP sub office is located, the situation remains calm except for the incidents in Plaisance on December 16 and in Trou-du-Nord on December 12 (see below) and with minor other incidents being reported. In Gonaives the situation remained relatively calm with only minor incidents noted during the reporting period.

The political environment continues to be relatively stable throughout the country in spite of the upcoming elections with numerous peaceful political demonstrations taking place. However, some tension between the Government and political parties can be noted.

The new electoral calendar has been officially announced. Presidential and legislative elections will, according to the latest announcement, take place on 8 January followed by a possible second round on 15 February. Local elections are scheduled in early March.

On Friday December 16, at least four individuals in ambush, heavily armed, shot at a MINUSTAH patrol in the locality of Plaisance, located 30 kilometers south-west of Cap Haitien (North Department). The three wounded blue helmets, all three of Chilean nationality, were immediately transported to the MINUSTAH headquarters in Cap Haitien, and then evacuated to the MINUSTAH Argentinean Hospital at Port Au Prince.

The same day, five electoral employees were kidnapped and then released in Haiti.

On December 15, a MINUSTAH vehicle was attacked by alleged gang members on Route Nationale 1. One International staff, two local staff and one Philippine soldier were on board, no injuries were reported.

On December 14, a Nigerian Officer was shot during a gunfire exchange with armed gangsters in Cité Militaire in PaP. The victim was immediately evacuated to the Argentinean Hospital and his situation was reportedly stable.

On December 13, three persons (a Spaniard, a Ghanaian and a Haitian) were reported kidnapped on Route Nationale 1. They worked for Telecommunication Company. The Spaniard has been released but the others have been taken to Cite Soleil, and later released. On the same day, a Dutch citizen was kidnapped in Route des Frères, a few days later he was released.

On December 12, the Haitian supervisor of an International American NGO was abducted while driving a private vehicle along Route Nationale 9 close to Cite Soleil. The same day, an electoral site was attacked in Trou-du-Nord by three individuals. Two guards were injured.

On December 11, armed bandits opened fire in Martissant area in PaP and killed six civilians.

On December 09, four people including an American citizen were kidnapped while driving in the direction of St. Marc after they had just left the Police station at Cabaret, and were later released.

Implementation and operations update

During the reporting period, a total of 899 MT of food were delivered to health centres and schools (PRRO and CP) in the West, North and North-East departments and in Port-au-Prince.

The day to day access to the warehouses and the port/terminals and industrial area remains subordinated to MINUSTAH escorting, which continues to hamper logistical flexibility.

Resourcing update

PRRO 10382.0 started food distribution in May 2005 for a period of two years. Total food for the duration of the project is estimated at 46,750 MT and the total cost at US$ 40.0 million. During 2005, and the first months of 2006, the operation needs 23,375 MT to meet project requirements. By the end of September 2005, the PRRO had received US$ 14.2 million from directed multilateral and multilateral contributions. However, it is facing a pipeline break and accumulated shortfalls of 7,141 MT in the next six months; 5,250 MT of CSB and 1,891 MT of rice. Consequently, more contributions are needed to overcome these shortages.

The current shortfall of CSB has been overcome by using carry-over stocks of rice from the operationally closed EMOP 10347.0 and PRRO 10275.0. But rice is also facing an imminent pipeline break.

The total food stocks in the country are estimated at 7,204 MT of which 5,440 MT are in WFP warehouses and available for distribution while over 1,764 MT are transiting through the port and container-terminals.

In country food stocks, (19 December 2005):

Other Issues

WFP Haiti is hosting a consultant for 4 months as part of the SENAC project (Strengthening Emergency Needs Assessment Capacity). The consultant is setting up a food security monitoring and early warning system in the North and Northwest departments in partnership with CNSA and FEWS-NET. This system will incorporate climatic, agricultural, and market price indicators. A household-level survey component will be added early next year, providing additional information on expenditures and dietary diversity, providing additional information for improved program targeting.