Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 11 March 2024

KEY FIGURES

1.8M dengue cases in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024

362K people currently displaced in Haiti, up from 314,000 in 2023

152K people affected by armed violence and in Colombia

HAITI: VIOLENCE

On 29 February, violence broke out across numerous the capital of Port-au-Prince, notably in the Bon Repos, Leogane, Tabarre and Delmas areas. Heavy gunfights on 1 March led to two prison breaks, throwing the capital and its neighboring areas into more insecurity. The new wave of violence has displaced approximately 15,000 people, more than two thirds of whom moved to 14 different sites, including 3 new sites without reception structures and 11 existing sites that have become overcrowded. Some 362,000 people are currently displaced in the country, up from 314,000 at the end of 2023. A state of emergency, initially imposed for the Ouest Department, including Port-auPrince, for three days, has been extended for one month until 3 April. A nighttime curfew has also been imposed until 11 March.

COLOMBIA: ARMED VIOLENCE

According to OCHA’s humanitarian monitoring system, at least 152,000 people have been affected by armed violence and conflict in 2024. Of these, 32,000 people have been either confined or displaced, with 23,500 people confined and 8,500 displaced in mass events. The most critical situation is in the Pacific region communities of Caquetá and Putumayo, where non-state armed groups’ (NSAGs) armed actions surged during the first two months of 2024. At least 53,000 people from this population have faced restrictions to humanitarian assistance following incidents perpetrated by NSAGs against humanitarian organizations. In addition, an armed strike declared by an NSAG in February affected 61,000 people, while a further 5,000 people were affected by violent social control measures, such as threats, codes of conducts and curfews, among others.

REGIONAL: DENGUE

Dengue is rapidly spreading throughout the region, driven by rising temperatures and increased rainfall. According to PAHO, 1,874,021 suspected cases of dengue were reported between epidemiological weeks 1 and 8 of 2024, a staggering 249 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023 and 354 per cent compared to the average of the last 5 years. Guatemala declared a national alert, with 7,651 cases reported in so far in 2024, while Peru declared a health emergency in response to 44 deaths and a 174.3 per cent increase in cases compared to 2023.
Paraguay and Argentina have recorded more than 5 times the typical number of cases so far this year, with more than 150,000 and 57,000 cases, respectively. In Brazil, where there are more than 1.4 million cases, epidemiologists expect numbers to surpass previous records with millions of cases. PAHO is stressing the need for enhanced surveillance, early diagnosis, treatment and community engagement to mitigate further spread.

MEXICO: VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

Since 27 February, the Popocatepetl volcano, located 70 km southeast of Mexico City, has emitted ash, water vapor and gas, prompting the temporary cancellation of aerial operations at Benito Juarez International Airport and in Puebla state. The increased daily activity has prompted a Yellow Phase 2 Alert, although authorities emphasize that levels have not yet reached those of previous years to warrant higher alerts. Civil Protection is issuing recommendations, warning of health risks, and urging people to avoid the volcano. In May 2023, ash emissions led local authorities to close schools in 11 surrounding towns and temporarily shut down Mexico City and Puebla airports.