haiti is under siege as residents struggle to cope amid a rise in gang violence. many are fleeing for their lives. international agencies warn haiti is facing a humantarian crisis as thousands are without food and medical care. and what's next for the caribbean nation as it looks to its transitional council to name a new interim leader. hello, i'm caitriona perry. you're very welcome. the united nations human rights office describes the situation in haiti as "cataclysmic" and is calling for immediate action. a report this week found that "corruption, impunity and poor "governance, compounded by increasing levels of gang "violence has eroded the rule of law." gang activity continues to plague haiti. more than 1,500 people have been killed as a result of violence so far this year. the report also cited the gangs�* use of sexual violence against people.

it urges the need for a multinational security mission of up to 5,000 police officers to help haitian police restore the rule of law. lets get the latest from haiti. lets go live now to our north america correspondent nomia iqbal. it's friday night in haiti, watson lake at the moment? any sense of normal life there at all? —— what's it like? katrina, we understand that it's relatively calm and violence has subsided somewhat in port—au—prince. i am more than 80 miles away, this is seen as a much more safe are part of haiti. and it is easter weekend, good friday, people are out on the streets here, celebrating easter, people dressed in white, holding

rosary beads, carrying crosses, we spoke to some people and said that theirfaith we spoke to some people and said that their faith is important to them at this time, one woman did say to was that she felt heartbroken by what was happening to our brothers and sisters in haiti. so, while people are trying to get on with a normal life, in the background, we know that this violence is continuing on as you mention, the un has said the situation in haiti right now is cataclysmic.- the situation in haiti right now is cataclysmic. you mention port-au-prince _ now is cataclysmic. you mention port-au-prince where _ now is cataclysmic. you mention port-au-prince where things - now is cataclysmic. you mention port-au-prince where things are i port—au—prince where things are worse, people are continuing to flee from there, where are they going to? what awaits them when they get to where you are? yes. they get to where you are? yes, we have seen — they get to where you are? yes, we have seen these _ they get to where you are? yes, we have seen these buses - they get to where you are? yes we have seen these buses that come to patient. people have taken this long danger is a six—hourjourney to make it here, in order to get refuge and many of them tell us that

they want to try and rebuild their lives here. —— cap—haitien. we spoke to one man who was really angry about what's happening. he said that guns are coming from the us and it's worth mentioning that haiti is the money — make world that does not manufacture a gun or i'm a nation and the us is said that these illegal weapons are been trafficked from the us and they want a solution, they want — the big question here is can these gangs are spread? it was in that we put to the chief prosecutor of cap—haitien and he said they have measures in place, they will with an iron fist here, he did go into all the details but he said that they have measures in place to stop gangs from spreading beyond the capital so, people do see cap—haitien as a safe place to come, having said that, the mayor of cap—haitien cassettes was that the numbers in the end won't be sustainable, we don't have many people have come to cap—haitien

know more than 30,000 people have led port—au—prince. in have led port-au-prince. in terms of — have led port—au—prince. in terms of what happens next, the transitional council said it's on was formed by the gangs are warning that the violence will get worse before things get better, what's the view on the ground for people as to what lies ahead?— ground for people as to what lies ahead? well, people are waitin: lies ahead? well, people are waiting to — lies ahead? well, people are waiting to see _ lies ahead? well, people are waiting to see exactly - lies ahead? well, people are waiting to see exactly what l waiting to see exactly what this council will do, it's had its delays, i was supposed to formally be established a couple of weeks ago and tonight, one of the faces of hades descent into lawlessness, his also known in the street as barbecue, he runs a coalition of gang that effectively taken the leaders of port—au—prince, he said that while he respects this, this is the organisation involving 20 caribbean countries that created this transitional council, he won't accept it until he and his

group have a sit at the table. and in terms of haitians themselves, you speak to them, it's mixed use, generally speaking, they look at this council which we understand is made up of haitians — asian leaders of the solution be proposed by the outside world and to them, that feels like for an interference, some of that they are hugely emboldened by but not quite there yet, the statement was released by the council earlier this week where they want to restore democracy was signed by eight of the nine members are so, the indication of how much time for the final person to get on board.- person to get on board. thank ou for person to get on board. thank you forjoining _ person to get on board. thank you forjoining us. _ there's a humanitarian crisis rapidly unfolding in haiti as armed gangs target communities in and around port—au—prince. humanitarian organisations like unicef are warning of dire situations faced by those trapped amid the violence. let's take a closer look at how people are faring. nearly half of the country's population of 11 million are in desperate need of aid.

362,000 people have been displaced, including 15,000 newly homeless in port—au—prince. the united nations estimates thati million people are on the brink of famine. with 44% of the population acutely food insecure, the un says. more than half of the medical facilities in port—au—prince and the neighboring rural region artibonite have closed or have stopped operating at full capacity after being looted by gangs or abandoned by staff — the new york times reports. the clinics that remain open are running dangerously low on fuel and medical supplies. the chief of the un agency for international development says more that $25 million in humanitarian assistance is needed to provide food, essential supplies, emergency health care and relocation support to haiti. just before coming on air, i spoke to the un humanitarian coordinator for haiti

ulrika richardson. good to speak to you on bbc news. you might talk to us about the current unitarian situation in haiti, how great is the need currently? currently, the need are increasing by the day, i could even say that they are increasing by the hour. in fact, the situation of the streets in port—au—prince continues very tense and very uncertain. and there is a very distinct sings of fear, on the street and as you know, sins and a february, the gangs have carried out, orchestrated attacks against state assets, the airports, police and the prison. and also in schools and hospitals. what we are seeing in fact is that this is pushing, the violence is pushing, the violence is pushing and all the people are leaving their homes and these are people who are traumatised, extremely fatigued and also, of

course, extremely tired and they are full of fear and terror. so, the gangs utilised extreme violence, they continue to use sexual violence as a way of instilling fear, punishing the population, they recruit children into their ranks and we see, in fact, how the entire life here in the capital of haiti is being impacted. in fact, daily life is disrupted by restrictions in, imposed by these gangs, roadblocks, but also movement of people, goods and services tax in fact, i would say that a lot of the life here in the capital is now impacted by the gangs. as i mentioned, these human rights abuses are very rampant, we

have since the beginning of the year, and we're looking a situation that is worse than many years back.— situation that is worse than many years back. given the level of violence, _ many years back. given the level of violence, the - many years back. given the level of violence, the level| level of violence, the level are needed that some people are many displays, how are you managing to distribute the military and aid that you have? —— humanitarian. we military and aid that you have? -- humanitarian.— military and aid that you have? -- humanitarian. we are on the round, -- humanitarian. we are on the ground. we _ -- humanitarian. we are on the ground, we work— -- humanitarian. we are on the ground, we work with _ -- humanitarian. we are on the ground, we work with our - ground, we work with our partners, we work with some of the institutions that are still functioning like that ministry of health, for example, the health, as you can imagine, the health, as you can imagine, the health sector in haiti is really struggling and many hospitals have had to close because of the gang violence, the health practitioners have a difficult to get into the job but we work on a daily basis to keep some of these health centres up and running, we do it either directly through our humanitarian agencies or we do

it through and we also do it through our local partners, both national and international. we have distributing food, as you know, in fact, food and security in haiti has deteriorated, we have now half of the country, half of the population that is food insecure. ., ., ., insecure. the international resnonse _ insecure. the international resnonse plan _ insecure. the international response plan called - insecure. the international response plan called for. insecure. the international. response plan called for $674 response plan called for $671; million to be put forward for haiti, has that funding been realised? , , ., realised? this is in fact a tragedy _ realised? this is in fact a tragedy in _ realised? this is in fact a tragedy in itself. - realised? this is in fact a tragedy in itself. our- realised? this is in fact a - tragedy in itself. our funding tragedy in itself. 0urfunding levels are extremely low. what is very frustrating to myself and to my colleagues who are extremely hard—working, our extremely ha rd—working, our partners, extremely hard—working, our partners, the humanitarian partners, the humanitarian partners and of course, the haitians who would be benefiting from the support is that we only find that up to

6.6% of our 674 million funding envelope for this year. so, as you can imagine, we are in the end of march and we only have a 6.6% funding, that is really, extremely wearing and of course, we call all of our international partners to really ramp up their support, this is when we talk about lifesaving, we are really in lifesaving, we are really in lifesaving situation, patients cannot wait, they are too many in the capital, in the very dire district of the capital who live now at really minimum. and on the point of security and as you say, the violence and as you say, the violence and the difficulties that that is causing itself but also to the humanitarian mission, the un security council has authorised this multinational security force led by them to

commend, arrived yet, what difference would they make if and when arrive? irate difference would they make if and when arrive?— difference would they make if and when arrive? we know that the national _ and when arrive? we know that the national police _ and when arrive? we know that the national police here - and when arrive? we know that the national police here in - the national police here in haiti are doing a really brave and courageousjob in putting our resistance against the gangs but of course, international bilateral support to the national police is very critical to restore and rule of law and security in haiti, particularly in the capital. and of course, enabling that type of support, as you mentioned, which was, let's say, triggered by an agreement in the security council in october last year, with the deployment of this multinational security force, the un security force is not think that remains very, very lead and, fact, more urgent and then ever and of course, we reiterate, as the un, to

contribute to this multinational security support so that really, it can arrive to haiti and provide the support to the haitian police to be able to combat the heavily armed gangs in much more effectively and very rapidly. more effectively and very raidl . ., rapidly. ok, you went to metairie _ rapidly. ok, you went to metairie and _ rapidly. ok, you went to l metairie and co-ordinator rapidly. ok, you went to - metairie and co-ordinator for metairie and co—ordinator for haiti, thank you so much for speaking to us on bbc news. according to the un, nearly five million people face crisis levels of food insecurity, with 1.64 million of them at an emergency level. let's go live now to the director of the world food programme in haiti jean—martin bauer. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. people in haiti are striving, how severe is a situation?— striving, how severe is a situation? , , ., , situation? this is the worst we have seen _ situation? this is the worst we have seen in — situation? this is the worst we have seen in a _ situation? this is the worst we have seen in a long _ situation? this is the worst we have seen in a long time. - situation? this is the worst we have seen in a long time. we i have seen in a long time. we have seen in a long time. we have 5 million people facing food insecurity in haiti, the worst numbers on record, we are

ringing the alarm bell, this is probably the worst humanitarian situation since the 2010 earthquake in haiti. how are --eole earthquake in haiti. how are peeple managing _ earthquake in haiti. how are people managing to - earthquake in haiti. how are| people managing to survive? it's very difficult, food prices have zoomed up, we think rice is gone by elisa third in the capital, otherfood prices have gone up as well, while incomes have dropped, as was described in your piece previously, it's hard to find work, it's hard to be able to make a daily income so, purchasing power has gone down, food prices going up and there's this causing displacement, it was — people have had to flee their homes, stop working, kids are no longer in school so the very fabric is being torn apart by now. ~ ., ., ,, fabric is being torn apart by now. ~ ., ., ., fabric is being torn apart by now. . . ., y., . ., now. what do you have to give them? how — now. what do you have to give them? how are _ now. what do you have to give them? how are you _ now. what do you have to give them? how are you managing| now. what do you have to give l them? how are you managing to help? them? how are you managing to hel? ~ �* ., them? how are you managing to hel? �* ., help? we're doing we possibly can to get _ help? we're doing we possibly can to get a — help? we're doing we possibly can to get a square _ help? we're doing we possibly can to get a square meal- help? we're doing we possibly can to get a square meal to i help? we're doing we possibly| can to get a square meal to the people in this place here in port—au—prince, just today, my team was able to provide 22,000

hot meals on the displaced population that is guarded, it's very honourable group, we talked about 5 million people, 1.4 million — 1.6 million in emergency but you've got 88,000 people here in port—au—prince, usually public schools or construction sites, without any water or electricity and extremely vulnerable so what we're trying to do is bring a meal to these people, trying to bring cash transfers as well, what we've been able to do this month has provided at least 300,000 meals but we need more support from our donors to be able to continue this effort, what we're doing right outstripping the food stocks that we have on hand in port—au—prince but as you know, it's been close, the airport has been closed for week, the roads in and out of port—au—prince are controlled by armed groups of the stocks that we have is the only ones we can count on and if we don't get any resources, this aid

effort will run out. 1ng get any resources, this aid effort will run out.- effort will run out. as we know, haiti— effort will run out. as we know, haiti has - effort will run out. as we know, haiti has had - effort will run out. as we know, haiti has had a - effort will run out. as we | know, haiti has had a bad effort will run out. as we - know, haiti has had a bad run of things in recent years, will back to the earthquake in 2010, the epidemic in a bigger tap and since there, how does this response compared to other emergency responses that have been needed there?— emergency responses that have been needed there? we've seen in the past _ been needed there? we've seen in the past emergency _ been needed there? we've seen | in the past emergency responses have been massive but we've seen that there were also quite short stop the problem of food insecurity in haiti, the problem of hunger didn't start yesterday and it a quick fix will not be enough. of course, the situation is a cute boarding to provide for the here and now but we also need to be looking at longer term, we need to be working to support the farmers, the businesses, the food producers in this country so that they are still there when things get better so that this country had the chance of feeding itself, it's quite important to not just focus on the emergency but to make sure that we ensure that we repair this in this

country and that means planning things over the means immediate needs and also putting resources towards longer term issues at a very difficult time. with the programme, 20 $100 million over the next six months with activities, haiti needs much more than that to invest in the agriculture and infrastructure, to feed the people in a way they are sustainable.— people in a way they are sustainable. 0k, director of the world — sustainable. 0k, director of the world food _ sustainable. 0k, director of the world food programmej sustainable. 0k, director of. the world food programme in haiti, thank you for bringing us up to date.— meanwhile, the international community is anxiously awaiting the formation of haiti's transitional council. it was first announced by caricom, the caribbean's intergovernmental organization, immediately after prime minister ariel henry announced he would resign. now the council is now facing delays as gangs continue to launch attacks across port au prince.

let's talk now about the future holds for haiti. i'm joined byjacqueline charles, miami herald reporter and robert fattonjunior, professor of government and foreign affairs at the university of virginia. thank you both forjoining us on bbc news and i want to ask whether you, on bbc news and i want to ask whetheryou, haiti on bbc news and i want to ask whether you, haiti has struggled for years, the 2010 earthquakes, the political turmoil and violence, this this moment feel different to you to all that has gone on before now? if you want to answer that first? i now? if you want to answer that first? ., , ., , first? i will let robert answer first. first? i will let robert answer first- you _ first? i will let robert answer first. you know, _ first? i will let robert answer first. you know, i'm - first? i will let robert answer first. you know, i'm not - first? i will let robert answer first. you know, i'm not so i first. you know, i'm not so sure. i think that this moment is a lot more complicated, i heard the question you asked about deep response, we need the fact that roads are blocked today, not by the breed but by armed groups, going out of your door is literally taking your life in your own hands. everybody agrees that there has never been this bad but when

you look at the response of the international community, just international community, just in terms of the eight, 670 $4 million and you cannot even raise 10% of that, i can do that today, there are at least 31 hospitals and clinics in port—au—prince, that have been brahms, looted, pillaged for clothes because of these attacks, on top of that, you have pharmacies that have been burned and looted to the ground., people cannot get any worse are all investments that's made, especially since the 2010 earthquake is literally going up in smoke. robert, what's your view? well, i think robert, what's your view? well, i think that _ robert, what's your view? well, i think that institutionally, - i think that institutionally, this— i think that institutionally, this is— i think that institutionally, this is probably the worst movement in modern haitian history — movement in modern haitian history in— movement in modern haitian history. in other words, there is no — history. in other words, there is no real— history. in other words, there is no real government, there is no institution, everyone is scared _ no institution, everyone is scared in— no institution, everyone is scared in port—au—prince, there is police —

scared in port—au—prince, there is police which is very weak, they— is police which is very weak, they monitor in catastrophe and we don't — they monitor in catastrophe and we don't know whether or not they— we don't know whether or not they will— we don't know whether or not they will be a government in they will be a government in the immediate future. so we are looking — the immediate future. so we are looking at— the immediate future. so we are looking at a movement of great political — looking at a movement of great political uncertainty, at the same — political uncertainty, at the same time, great violence and we don't — same time, great violence and we don't know if that violence is going — we don't know if that violence is going to escalate so, the situation _ is going to escalate so, the situation in my mind is probably as bad as it has ever been — probably as bad as it has ever been and _ probably as bad as it has ever been and we've had very bad moments _ been and we've had very bad moments in the modern error. and _ moments in the modern error. and so, — moments in the modern error. and so, it's _ moments in the modern error. and so, it's a pretty bleak feature _ and so, it's a pretty bleak feature. its and so, it's a pretty bleak feature-— and so, it's a pretty bleak feature. �* ., , , ., , feature. a lot seems to be hanging — feature. a lot seems to be hanging on _ feature. a lot seems to be hanging on the _ feature. a lot seems to be | hanging on the transitional council and that being formed, how confident are you that it will be able to restore order? that's a complicated business because — that's a complicated business because the seven members of the two — because the seven members of the two observers of the council _ the two observers of the council have been bickering and is not _ council have been bickering and is not even _ council have been bickering and is not even clear that they've said. — is not even clear that they've said. they _ is not even clear that they've said, they said very basic issues _ said, they said very basic issues like how do you elect the president? who's going to be the — the president? who's going to

be the prime minister let alone a forward — be the prime minister let alone a forward government and then you have — a forward government and then you have to think about the installation of that government installation of that government in haiti, — installation of that government in haiti, how do you do that? because _ in haiti, how do you do that? because as the report was stating, — because as the report was stating, the gangs are stating that, — stating, the gangs are stating that, well, if there is caricom government in haiti, they will attack— government in haiti, they will attack the government, they will be — attack the government, they will be held, literally in the country _ will be held, literally in the country, to talk about all that and the — country, to talk about all that and the coup d'etat. so this could — and the coup d'etat. so this could be _ and the coup d'etat. so this could be a very violent moment and we — could be a very violent moment and we are _ could be a very violent moment and we are still waiting for the — and we are still waiting for the possibility that the officers will arrive in haiti but — officers will arrive in haiti but at _ officers will arrive in haiti but at the moment, it's not at all clear— but at the moment, it's not at all clear that they will alive, this— all clear that they will alive, this seems to be great concern in cania — this seems to be great concern in cania about the deployment of the — in cania about the deployment of the offices so again, we don't _ of the offices so again, we don't know how that government, if it is— don't know how that government, if it is formed and if managed

to other— if it is formed and if managed to other president or prime minister— to other president or prime minister and the cabinet, how the government is going to govern— the government is going to govern and how the government is going — govern and how the government is going to be installed in the conditions of security. and 'ust conditions of security. and just when _ conditions of security. and just when you're _ conditions of security. fific just when you're talking about gangs of their, one of the major gang leaders known as barbecue has been speaking to sky news, let's take a very quick listen to some of what he's been saying. he is saying there that he is willing to sit and have ceasefire or peace talks if patients are at the table, how realistic of prospect is that? i mean, there is debate about who do you put at the table? how do you get to temper down the streets? for me, i look at the streets? for me, i look at the situation in the number

schemes and unfortunately, 300 gangs throughout the country. we have seen where certain gang leaders are in today, out tomorrow, certain ones become powerful because of things that they do and others are sort of under the radar. i think a lot of this, could you sit down with as the issue? when you hear individual store, you would think that they are observers and not the ones that are basically putting the country on fire. you know, the question that everybody is asking me, and aaron have the answer is, what is that they want? —— and i don't have the answer. what is it that you want? because it's happening in your community and you will get sick and need medication, your kids need to go to school so, i hear what they are saying but it's still not making sense to a lot of us. it's still not making sense to

a lot of us— a lot of us. and briefly, do ou a lot of us. and briefly, do you think _ a lot of us. and briefly, do you think the _ a lot of us. and briefly, do you think the internationalj you think the international community paying enough attention to the situation? i think the international committee is having a serious discrete of the situation, i think the communityjust really doesn't understand how things work in haiti politically speaking. robertjust talked speaking. robert just talked about speaking. robertjust talked about this presidential council and we've been watching, for two weeks, notjust about bickering but it's about what's on paper and what in reality and you think about that this was supposed to be the easy part so, what do you do in terms of getting a prime minister? we elected presidents to control the entire economy. is this going to be enough to temper the situation? i think international committee doesn't pay enough attention, they don't understand the nuances, they think about, it works this way in this place so it should work this way and haiti animal was reminded that haiti is a

one country and i think it is a very telling thing that people should be paying attention to. robert, briefly, final thought from yourself there, do you think we will see some developments in? it think we will see some developments in? think we will see some develoments in? ., , ., developments in? it remains to be seen. developments in? it remains to be seen- i'm — developments in? it remains to be seen. i'm reminded - developments in? it remains to be seen. i'm reminded that - developments in? it remains to be seen. i'm reminded that in l be seen. i'm reminded that in the i950s, _ be seen. i'm reminded that in the 1950s, there was a presidential council and i think— presidential council and i think there were seven members and you — think there were seven members and you know who ultimately won that? _ and you know who ultimately won that? that — and you know who ultimately won that? that was a very dark. in haiti~ — that? that was a very dark. in haiti~ i— that? that was a very dark. in haiti. i hope that history doesn't _ haiti. i hope that history doesn't repeat itself and that we will — doesn't repeat itself and that we will manage to at least — the haitian people, at least managed to go beyond the personal, politicaland managed to go beyond the personal, political and petty interest _ personal, political and petty interest but so far, it's difficult _ interest but so far, it's difficult to see that. ok, so for interrupting, _ difficult to see that. ok, so for interrupting, we - difficult to see that. ok, so for interrupting, we are - difficult to see that. ok, so for interrupting, we are at. difficult to see that. ok, so i for interrupting, we are at the end of the programme, thank you both so much forjoining us. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. the easter weekend will settle down a little —

perhaps music to your ears, in comparison to the last few days. yes, there will be more sunshine around and fewer showers — and as a result, it will be a little warmer. but there's more rain to come for some of us by easter monday. more on that in just a moment — for the moment, though, the low pressure is drifting its way westwards, the isobars are opening out. so saturday will be a quieter, less windy day for all of us. maybe a little more cloud across east anglia and that kent coast, and a few isolated showers out to the west — most frequent showers perhaps to northern ireland and scotland — but even so, few and far between in comparison to recent days. 11—15 celsius, with a little more sunshine coming through — that should feel quite pleasant. now, with those clear skies by day continuing through the night, though, temperatures are likely to fall away for some — the exception down to the southwest, where we could continue to see some showers pushing up through the channel isles and across cornwall. but low single figures, a touch of frost is likely through scotland and north—east england, and even some patchy fog. it's worth bearing in mind, as well, that we are springing into

british summertime on sunday. yes, we all lose an hour, but the clocks go forward and the daytimes get a little longer. so, sunday morning, then, the fog will lift quite readily away. a lot of dry settled weather for most of us on sunday. that rain down towards the southwest could still be a bit of a nuisance here, and temperatures generally between 10—14 celsius once again. now, as we move out of sunday into monday is when we start to see the potential for another spell of wet weather, as the low drifts its way eastwards once again and bring some rain for england and wales. not looking too bad — the best of the sunshine, perhaps through northern ireland and western scotland. more cloud coming in off the north sea, and the rain will be quite showery from time to time across england and wales. but, as a result of the change of wind direction, here a little cooler on those exposed east coast — 9—10 celsius, perhaps highest values of 12 celsius. and then, as we move out of monday into tuesday, low pressure is set to dominate the weather story — you can see the next system waiting in the wings.

and so, as we go through the week ahead, we'll see some showers or longer spells of rain from time to time.

voice-over: this is bbc news.

we will have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. woman sobs i will explain to you honestly what i know. she was raped. she was then forced to have an abortion. i just want to help her go home. i feel like i'm in prison. please, please, - please, madam, please. human trafficking is one of the most profitable businesses in the world. any africans would never go to this country. never. not 0man.

then you are lost. shut up. i told the doctor...