Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 4 October 2024

KEY FIGURES

163K indigenous children suffering health issues due to smoke from fires in Peru

2M people facing critical levels of hunger, malnutrition and disease (IPC 4) in Haiti

1.4K people confined due to territorial disputes between NSAGs in Caquetá, Colombia

HAITI: FOOD INSECURITY & VIOLENCE

The humanitarian crisis in Haiti continues to deteriorate, with the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis indicating that 5.4 million people — half the population — are facing acute hunger, including two million in critical condition suffering from extreme hunger, malnutrition, and disease (IPC Phase 4). Around 6,000 displaced individuals in Port-au-Prince are experiencing famine-like conditions (IPC Phase 5). By early September, over 702,000 people had been displaced in Haiti, marking a 22 per cent increase since June and a 95 per cent rise since the February and March 2024 violence. Most displacements originate from the Port-au-Prince Metropolitan Area, where armed groups terrorize communities. As a grim illustration of the country’s violence, on 3 October, an armed attack in the town of Pont Sondé, Artibonite, resulted in at least 70 deaths, including women and infants.

COLOMBIA: ARMED VIOLENCE

Territorial disputes continue to impact communities in Colombia’s southern department of Caquetá, with a recent dispute between two non-state armed groups (NSAGs) confining 1,455 people in Solano. Since 15 September, NSAGs have prohibited navigation on the Caguán and Caquetá rivers, a primary access route to many communities. The order is significantly impacting the safety and wellbeing of the population, affecting at least 1,124 people from 10 Indigenous communities and 331 people from 4 rural communities. The restrictions have severely limited access to essential goods and services and forced the suspension of classes for children due to the risk of crossfire. The population has also faced threats for recruitment and intimidation against community leaders.

SOUTH AMERICA: WILDFIRES UPDATE

On 1 October, Bolivia declared a state of emergency as wildfires continue to ravage the region. The declaration aims to mobilize funds and resources, particularly in the department of Santa Cruz, where 7.2 million hectares of forest have been devastated by the fires, marking the worst environmental disaster in the regions history. In Ecuador, wildfire activity continues to increase, with 55 new fires between 24 September and 1 October, according to the Risk Management Secretariat (SNGR). Respiratory illnesses are surging in the most affected cities. Similarly, in Peru, at least 163,000 indigenous children are suffering from health issues due to smoke and ash, according to UNICEF. Response efforts continue, but experts warn that without significant investments in fire prevention, including sustainable land use and climate information systems, these extreme fires will become more frequent.

REGIONAL: HURRICANE MONITORING

Hurricane monitoring continues as Kirk, the 7th hurricane and 2nd major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, generates large swells across the Caribbean and Atlantic. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Leslie, the 12th named storm, is expected to strengthen in the coming days. Although neither storm is forecast to make landfall, they highlight this season’s unusual activity, with Kirk the farthest east a hurricane has formed at this time of year. Simultaneously, Mexico is contending with Pacific storms, as Tropical Storm John made a second landfall in Michoacán on 27 September, bringing heavy rainfall to Guerrero, Oaxaca and Michoacán. Acapulco, still recovering from last year’s Hurricane Otis, remains among the hardest-hit areas. Local authorities, the Armed Forces, and humanitarian organizations are leading response efforts in affected regions, with continued rainfall and another storm expected in the coming days.