UNICEF continues to assist children amid growing violence in Haiti

The armed groups operating in Haiti have been besieging the capital, Port-au-Prince, since November 11, in the midst of a violence that has left hundreds dead and injuredin addition to forcing some 42,000 people to flee in search of safety, many of them for the second or third time.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that even neighborhoods previously considered safe have become targets, causing the Displacement of more families and disruption of services essential.

Violence has claimed thousands of lives in 2024, creating one of the most difficult humanitarian and security crises that Haiti has faced in recent years.

UNICEF adapts its response to help alleviate the growing needs of the most vulnerable children and families in a changing emergency scenario.

The body provides immediate assistance in the displaced camps and the poorest neighborhoods while designing a medium and long-term recovery plan.

Obstacles to assistance distribution

Relief operations present great challenges given the situation of unstable and unpredictable security that prevails in Haiti.

Among the main obstacles to aid distribution are armed violence, blocked roads, fuel shortages and threats to staff security, which delay the delivery of vital supplies by reducing the mobility of humanitarian personnel.

Faced with this situation, UNICEF and its partners use alternative means as well as sea and air transportation, to move supplies and reach those in need.

Resource urgency

But the magnitude of the crisis in Haiti urgently requires more financingand a solid and coordinated response.

“With more support, UNICEF and its partners can bring hope and relief to the children and families of Haiti during these difficult times,” the agency noted.

Since the latest wave of violence began, UNICEF has provided aid in displaced persons camps across Port-au-Prince, including Pétion-Ville, where 2,800 people, mostly women and children, have sought refuge. Emergency aid, including water, sanitation, child protection and nutrition servicesreaches 50,000 people in ten densely populated sites.

Drinking water and psychological support

In neighborhoods and displaced persons camps where water supplies have been interrupted, the UN agency provides people with drinking water that transports in trucks. These efforts are vital since the spread of anger continues to threaten the lives of children.

For avoid recruitment of children by armed groups, UNICEF teams offer psychological support and protection to unaccompanied children, and intervene against gender violence in nine displaced persons sites.

The organization also supports the nutrition of about 16,000 people, including children and pregnant women in clinics and health centers where children with severe acute malnutrition are also treated.

Likewise, UNICEF provides cash transfers in displaced persons sites, reaching thousands of vulnerable homes.