- Poor hygiene conditions
- Climate does not help
The number of internally displaced children in Haiti is estimated to have increased by 60% since March, equivalent to the displacement of one child every minute as a result of ongoing violence caused by armed groups.
According to the latest estimates, nearly 600,000 people, more than half of whom are children, are now internally displaced in Haiti and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
“Haiti’s children continue to face multiple hazards, including horrific violence and critical levels of displacement,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is having a devastating effect on children. Displaced children desperately need a safe and protective environment, as well as increased support and funding from the international community.
Poor hygiene conditions
Displaced children and adolescents in Haiti are at increased risk of violence, including sexual assault, exploitation, abuse and family separation. They often face disrupted access to services such as health care and clean water and sanitation.
Poor hygiene conditions in camps and informal settlements put them at increased risk of disease, including cholera, while school closures and economic constraints caused by the violence have forced many to drop out of school.
Meanwhile, years of political turmoil, coupled with devastating economic conditions, have fuelled the growth of armed groups. In the absence of other means of survival or protection, children are increasingly forced to join these groups, in clear violation of their rights and in breach of international law.
Climate does not help
With 90% of Haiti’s population living in poverty and three million children in need of humanitarian assistance, this new wave of internally displaced people also faces what the National Emergency Operations Centre announced as a “hyperactive” cyclone season. Last month, a tornado destroyed the homes of 650 children in Bassin Bleu, in the country’s north-western department.
The battered health system, which could barely cope with demand before the latest escalation of violence, will face a rainy season that is expected to further worsen the situation, threatening to spike waterborne diseases in a country that recorded more than 84,000 suspected cases of cholera.
“The needs in Haiti continue to grow, along with the dangers for children. Everyone has a role to play in changing the trajectory and ensuring that children are back in school, safe and have access to basic services. Children should not be paying for a crisis created by adults with their lives and their futures,” said Russell.
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