In the face of escalating gang violence and displacement crisis in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has emerged as a beacon of hope, providing essential support to over 30,000 displaced individuals with access to safe drinking water.
For years, Port-au-Prince has grappled with the stronghold of armed groups, but the situation reached a critical point roughly two months ago when coordinated attacks by these gangs paralyzed the metropolitan area.
Amidst this chaos, UNICEF, in collaboration with the National Directorate for Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) and other partners, has tirelessly worked to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.
The recent surge in violence has exacerbated an already dire situation for children and families, who are grappling with the scarcity of essential resources and facilities.
The onset of the rainy season has further compounded their plight, leading to widespread flooding in low-lying areas and a resurgence of cholera cases in impoverished neighborhoods like Cité Soleil.
Ruben Um Bayiha, chief of UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Programme, emphasized the urgent need for intervention, stating that operating in such an insecure and volatile environment resembles navigating a war zone every day.
Despite the daunting challenges, UNICEF and its partners remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and providing life-saving assistance.
UNICEF’s WASH response in Haiti encompasses a range of initiatives, including the provision of safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene services across displacement sites.
Efforts have included water trucking, treatment of piped water, repair of water supply systems, construction of temporary latrines, distribution of hygiene kits, and dissemination of crucial hygiene messages.
During March alone, UNICEF’s efforts yielded significant outcomes, with over 700,000 gallons of chlorinated water distributed to displaced families and children.
Collaborative endeavors with partner organizations such as Solidarités International, ORRAH, and ACTED have ensured that essential needs are met, even in the most challenging circumstances.
In addition to water and sanitation services, UNICEF has prioritized improving sanitary conditions in high-risk displacement sites, undertaking tasks such as the safe removal and disposal of faecal sludge.
With the imminent threat of the upcoming hurricane season, UNICEF remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing evolving needs but emphasizes that urgent scaling up of the response is imperative to prevent further deterioration of the crisis.
Um, Bayiha underscored the critical need for funding to sustain and expand UNICEF’s efforts, stating that the crisis will worsen without urgent intervention.
UNICEF aims to support over 884,000 people across Haiti this year, ensuring access to quality water, sanitation services, and critical WASH supplies.
Meanwhile, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners have been actively supporting those affected by the recent gang clashes, providing meals, shelter, and other essential supplies to displaced persons and host communities in areas like Delmas commune.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has also played a pivotal role in distributing food to schoolchildren and displaced individuals in the capital.
As Haiti navigates through these tumultuous times, UNICEF and its partners remain unwavering in their commitment to providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable populations, underscoring the urgent need for global support and solidarity in the face of adversity.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
