United Nations, 13 November (IANS). After increasing incidents of shooting and violence on commercial jetliners in Haiti, all United Nations flights going there have been suspended. This information has been given by the UN spokesperson.
On Monday, a US Spirit Airlines commercial flight was shot at while approaching Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, forcing it to divert to the neighboring Dominican Republic. A flight attendant was injured in this incident.
The same day, a JetBlue Airways flight returning from Port-au-Prince was found damaged by gunfire upon arrival in New York, Xinhua news agency reported.
Armed groups took to the streets in the capital, with at least 20 armed clashes reported and several roads blocked, according to UN partners. This limited movement across the city. UN Chief spokesperson Stephane Dujarric gave this information to the media on Tuesday.
Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince was closed until November 18. He said that the port is open from the sea, but it is not possible to reach the port by road at present.
A UN spokesperson said all UN flights have been suspended, limiting the flow of humanitarian staff and resources.
Delivery of 20 truckloads of food and medical supplies to the south was also postponed.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that increasing violence was worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
UN partners said all schools in the Haitian capital have been closed. Additionally, an operation to provide cash assistance to 1,000 people also had to be canceled amid the ongoing violence.
Dujarric called for a halt to the escalating violence, as well as safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access, as well as protection for people.
–IANS
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