Port-au-Prince – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) strongly condemned the looting of its humanitarian supplies following the recent civil unrest in Gonaives, Haiti.

On Friday 16 September, the IOM premises containing more than 12,000 relief items were ransacked. These humanitarian assets were intended to provide urgent assistance to more than 10,000 vulnerable people in Haiti. 

“I strongly condemn the violence happening in Gonaives and the looting of humanitarian supplies of IOM, as they have a dramatic impact on the people we serve.” said Michele Klein Solomon, IOM Regional Director for Central and North America and the Caribbean. “Such an attack severely impedes our ability to deliver to the people who need it the most”.

IOM has been present in Haiti since 1994 supporting the Government of Haiti in its immediate and long-term migration related programmes. IOM remains committed with its partners to stay and continue delivering humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable communities.