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Armed members of the G9 gang at a roadblock in Port-au-Prince

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/dpa

In view of the escalated gang violence in Haiti, the humanitarian situation is worsening.

The Caribbean country is on the brink of a devastating hunger crisis, the World Food Program (WFP) warned on Tuesday.

Humanitarian efforts threatened to come to a standstill - because the poor security situation hindered access to the people, but also because of a drying up of financial resources.

The UN organization said WFP funding for hot meals would run out in two weeks.

A UN spokesman announced on Monday that the plan to cover humanitarian needs in Haiti, for which 674 million US dollars (around 617 million euros) would be needed, was only 2.6 percent financed.

According to the United Nations, almost half of the country's approximately eleven million inhabitants suffer from acute hunger.

"Haiti is one of the worst food crises in the world - 1.4 million Haitians are one step away from famine," said WFP Country Director in Haiti, Jean-Martin Bauer.

The rampant gang violence escalated at the end of February and largely paralyzed parts of Haiti.

The two most powerful gangs had joined forces and demanded the resignation of interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

According to the UN, gangs control around 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince.

Around 362,000 people are displaced within the country.

On Tuesday night (local time), Henry announced his resignation as soon as a transitional council announced by the Caribbean community of states (Caricom) chose his successor.

However, there is no end to the violence in sight.

Police officers from Kenya were actually sent to Haiti to ensure more security there.

There was even money from the USA for the operation.

However, after the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the Kenyan government deviated from its plans.

They want to wait for the new government and then work out a common security concept.

Welthungerhilfe also called on international donors and partners to increase humanitarian funding for Haiti.

Almost 277,000 children under the age of five are at risk of acute malnutrition.

The spread of sexual and gender-specific violence has also caused immense stress and great trauma for women and girls.

lpz/dpa