On 9 October, the same armed group launched another attack in the village of Gresset, in the commune of Saint-Marc, kidnapping five people. Armed group members attacked residents in their homes, though some managed to escape by crossing the river into safer areas. While the attackers left the village after the assault, the region remains under their control
Humanitarian partners have mobilised to support local authorities and provide necessary assistance to affected populations. A response is already in place to address the urgent situation.
IOM is coordinating with the Association of Volunteers in International Service (AVSI) and Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), who are currently assessing protection needs in Saint-Marc, Verrettes, and Petite-Rivière. To meet urgent needs, a mobile canteen has been deployed to provide hot meals to displaced people at these sites.
Additionally, coordination between IOM, the OPH NGO, the department's Civil Protection, and the Haitian Red Cross has launched an immediate response to support 1,000 households affected by the events in Pont-Sondé. Essential non-food items are already on their way from Port-au-Prince, including:
The World Food Programme (WFP) distributed hot meals to 2,425 people on 6 October, including 630 people who had taken refuge with host families. On 7 October, 6,136 people also received hot meals.
On 5 October, Hôpital Saint Nicolas in Saint-Marc received 1.3 tonnes of medical supplies via a special UNHAS flight, supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP). These supplies will allow 50 surgical operations and treatment for up to 1,000 injured people.
The team at Hôpital Saint Nicolas also distributed essential health kits (IEHK) at three displacement sites in Saint-Marc, ensuring immediate healthcare for those in need.