Port-au-Prince has been under the control of armed groups for several years now, and about two months ago they launched coordinated attacks that paralyzed the metropolitan area.
Since then, UNICEFtogether with the National Directorate of Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) and partners, has provided more than 2.6 million liters of safe drinking water to children and families across 20 locations housing for displaced people.
Harsh conditions, threat of disease
The recent escalation of violence has exacerbated the already dire situation facing children and families, who already lack essential support and facilities.
The current rainy season has only added to their plight, leading to massive flooding in low-lying areas of the capital and a resurgence of cholera in Cité Soleil, an extremely poor neighborhood.
“Without quality drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities, children are displaced exposure to water-borne diseases, especially widespread cholera” speak Ruben Um Bayiha, Director of UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program.
‘Navigating a war zone’
Furthermore, he said “Operating in such an unsafe and volatile environment is like having to navigate a war zone every day.”
Despite the challenges, UNICEF and partners are stepping up efforts to protect children and families and provide the lifesaving assistance they desperately need, he emphasized.
Supporting displaced families
UNICEF leads the WASH response in Haiti, providing more than half of overall support, ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services at all displacement sites.
Initiatives include water transport by road, tap water treatment, repair of water supply and sanitation systems, construction of temporary toilets, provision of essential hygiene items and communication toilet message.
UNICEF said its WASH efforts “delivered significant results” in March, with more than 700,000 gallons (2.66 million liters) of chlorinated water distributed to displaced families and children.
Collaborative efforts with partners such as aid organizations Solidarités International, ORRAH and ACTED have ensured that essential needs are met even in the most difficult circumstances.
Furthermore, UNICEF and partners distributed hygiene kits to nearly 11,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across six locations.
A female student in Port-au-Prince holds up a sign in French that says ‘peace’.
‘The crisis will get worse’
UNICEF also prioritized improving sanitation conditions at high-risk IDP sites, including the safe removal and disposal of approximately 78 cubic meters of fecal sludge from three sites with a capacity of approximately 7,000 people.
Um Bayiha endorsed the agency’s commitment to addressing growing needs, especially as the region prepares for the upcoming hurricane season.
However, he warned that “this crisis will get worse unless the response is urgently stepped up”, highlighting the need for funding.
UNICEF aims to help more than 884,000 people across Haiti access quality water this year for drinking and household needs, as well as appropriate cleaning services and vital WASH supplies.
Thousands of people received meals
Meanwhile, United Nations humanitarian agencies and partners are supporting those affected by recent gang clashes in Delmas commune in Port-au-Prince.
Meals, accommodation and other provisions were provided displaced people and host communitiesand hope that support will ramp up as soon as security allows.
This week, the World Food Program distributed food to 264,000 schoolchildren and more than 5,600 displaced people in the capital.
WFP also distributed food in Cité Soleil, reaching approximately 26,000 people this week.
Teams have reached more than 680,000 people since the beginning of March and provided more than 800,000 hot meals to more than 94,000 displaced people in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
WFP has also distributed school meals to more than 330,000 students across Haiti.
