UN to Launch Airbridge to Get Aid into Haiti

The United Nations announced on Wednesday its initiative to set up an "air bridge" between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, aimed at facilitating the delivery of aid to Haiti, a nation deeply entrenched in a crisis exacerbated by gang control over the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The UN mission in Haiti shared on the "X" platform that "The United Nations in Haiti is working on establishing an air bridge with the Dominican Republic to ensure the smooth flow of assistance and the movement of its staff."

The mission detailed that a portion of its staff accredited in Haiti would be temporarily relocated "abroad," while in turn, "crisis" teams trained to operate under the current tumultuous conditions would be brought in.

This announcement followed the UN's decision to evacuate its "non-essential" personnel from Haiti, amidst the country's descent into chaos due to gang violence.

The international community is making concerted efforts to form a transitional presidential council to assume power after Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation announcement.

Earlier on Wednesday, a UN spokesperson stated, "Due to the deteriorating security situation in Haiti and based on the outcomes of a security risk management review, we will reduce the number of non-essential staff."

This decision came after an emergency meeting on Monday involving representatives from the United States, the UN, and Caribbean nations, which resulted in an action plan to establish a transitional presidential council to govern the country until elections can be organized.

Haiti has not held national elections since 2016 and has been without a parliament or president since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

Gangs, which have taken control of most areas in Port-au-Prince, launched a campaign about two weeks ago to overthrow Henry, plunging the country into a severe crisis with looming threats of famine and civil war.

Henry found himself stranded in Puerto Rico following a trip to Kenya, where he aimed to finalize details for a UN-endorsed police force plan to restore order in his country.