Due to the coordinated attacks by armed groups since the end of February 2024, which have paralyzed the metropolitan area, UNICEF, alongside the National Directorate of Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) and its partners, has provided more of 2.6 million liters of drinking water to children and families in 20 sites housing displaced people.

"Without quality drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities, displaced children are exposed to water-borne diseases, most notably a widespread outbreak of cholera," said Ruben Um Bayiha, Head of the UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program adding "operating in such a volatile and unstable environment is like navigating a war zone on a daily basis."

UNICEF is leading the WASH response in Haiti, providing more than half of the overall support, ensuring safe water, sanitation and hygiene services at all displacement sites.

Initiatives include trucking water, treating piped water, repairing water supply and sanitation systems, constructing temporary latrines, providing essential hygiene items and the dissemination of hygiene messages.

Collaborative efforts with partners such as humanitarian organizations Solidarités International, ORRAH and ACTED have ensured that essential needs are met, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Additionally, UNICEF and its partners distributed hygiene kits to nearly 11,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) across six sites.

UNICEF has also prioritized improving sanitation conditions in high-risk IDP sites, including safely disposing of approximately 78 cubic meters of fecal sludge from three sites housing approximately 7,000 people.

Um Bayiha warned that "this crisis will worsen if the response is not urgently scaled up," emphasizing the need for funding.

This year, UNICEF aims to help more than 884,000 people across Haiti access quality water for drinking and household needs, as well as appropriate sanitation services and essential WASH supplies.

HL/ HaitiLibre