The United Nations has suspended all flights to Haiti following a surge in violence that has threatened the safety of air travel in the country. The decision comes after commercial aircraft were struck by gunfire, escalating concerns over the stability of the region.
On Monday, a Spirit Airlines commercial flight approaching Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, was hit by gunfire, forcing it to divert to the neighboring Dominican Republic. A flight attendant was injured during the incident. In a separate event the same day, a JetBlue Airways flight arriving in New York from Port-au-Prince was found to have sustained bullet damage.
According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, armed groups have taken to the streets of Port-au-Prince, with at least 20 armed clashes reported and several roadblocks erected, limiting movement across the city. The Toussaint Louverture International Airport has been closed until November 18. While the port remains open by sea, road access is currently impossible.
The suspension of UN flights has significantly hampered humanitarian efforts, restricting the flow of staff and essential resources. The delivery of 20 trucks of food and medical supplies to the southern regions has been postponed. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that escalating violence is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
All schools in the capital have been closed, and operations providing cash assistance to 1,000 people have been canceled amid the ongoing unrest. Dujarric called for an immediate end to the violence to allow for safe, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access, emphasizing the need to protect civilians.
The situation in Haiti underscores the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in conflict zones and highlights the impact of instability on vulnerable populations.
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All UN flights to Haiti suspended due to rising violence: spokesperson
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