More than 125,000 children, mainly located in the departments of Artibonite and West, are exposed to a severe risk of acute malnutrition, particularly in Port-au-Prince, in a context of unprecedented crisis in the country, alerts the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a press release made public this Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
UNICEF warns of the imminent worsening of the nutritional crisis, putting children “on the brink”, due to the persistence of armed violence currently raging in Haiti. Catherine Russell, executive director of the institution, warns that this situation could lead to a devastating health and nutritional crisis, putting countless children’s lives at risk.
“Ongoing armed violence in the Artibonite department and the Ouest department, which includes Port-au-Prince, has limited the delivery of aid and collapsed an already fragile health system, posing a imminent threat to the lives of more than 125,000 children at risk of SAM,” the press release reads.
In addition Catherine Russell is launching an urgent call for securing the population in Haiti to ensure access to essential services on which children and families depend, as well as to allow humanitarian workers to reach those in desperate need. ‘help.
At the same time, the UN body emphasizes that since the start of the year, the deterioration of security in Haiti has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, hampering the organization’s ability to store, deliver and resupply essential aid to the population.
“Earlier this month, one of 17 UNICEF containers was looted at the main port of Port-au-Prince. The looted container contained essential items for maternal, neonatal and child survival, including resuscitators and related equipment,” the statement reported.
Due to continued insecurity, only two out of five hospitals are operational across the country, and only one out of four health facilities operate in the Artibonite department, a crucial region for rice production.
UNICEF calls on the international community to step up efforts to protect civilians, restore law and order on the streets, and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and vital supplies, including therapeutic food . The organization also advocates for the protection of schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure for children, as well as the preservation of humanitarian spaces.
“The violence and instability in Haiti have consequences far beyond the risk of the violence itself. The situation is creating a child health and nutrition crisis that could cost the lives of countless of children.”~@unicefchief
More here👇https://t.co/H4uLP8XTb8— UNICEF Haiti (@UNICEFHaiti) March 26, 2024
