The situation in Haiti is "terrible", almost like the scenes of the movie "Mad Max", which depicts a post-apocalyptic future, said today the executive director of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell.
"Many, many people are suffering from severe hunger and malnutrition, and we are not able to provide them with sufficient assistance," she told US television network CBS, as Haiti grapples with gang violence.
Haiti, and especially the capital Port-au-Prince, has been the scene of gang violence in recent weeks as Haitians await the establishment of a transitional council following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henri.
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Kenya, which is due to deploy 1.000 police as part of a multinational security mission, said it would suspend its deployment but added that it would intervene once a transitional council is in place.
Criminal groups control entire parts of the country, including 80 percent of the capital. They were accused of numerous crimes, murders, rapes and kidnappings for ransom.
With Port-au-Prince airport still closed, the UN mission in Haiti said Wednesday it would establish an "air bridge" between Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic by helicopter as soon as possible, especially to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The main port in the capital has also been closed since March 7, due to "sabotage and vandalism", making it difficult to deliver international aid.
A UNICEF container "including critical supplies for maternal, newborn and child health" was looted at the port on Saturday, the UN said, adding that it comes at a critical time when children need it most.
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