Since the coordinated attacks carried out by armed groups in late February, UNICEF and its partners have intensified their efforts. More than 50,000 displaced children and families affected by violence in various parts of the city received vital health services through mobile clinics.

"We offer an integrated package of services to children and their families, including consultations and treatment for children, pregnant women, mothers, adolescents, and families, identifying and treating cases of malnutrition, and administering vaccinations to children and pregnant women," explains Jean-Bosco Hulute, head of the UNICEF health program.

75% of women and children do not have access to basic public health and nutrition interventions in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. Hospitals have been vandalized and forced to close for safety reasons. With the support of UNICEF, partners have put in place a reference plan to ensure the care of children requiring hospitalization, including pregnant women among internally displaced people. Two health establishments, the Peace University Hospital and the Eliazar Germain Hospital, have been designated to facilitate referrals.

Maternal, newborn and child health products are scarce, particularly in terms of quality resources and functional health facilities. The few health facilities remaining open to women and children in areas controlled by armed groups lack adequate human resources, equipment and medicines to provide essential health and nutrition services.

In addition, UNICEF has prioritized support with medical supplies to 67 health facilities in the West, Artibonite, North and North-East departments, ensuring continuity of care for children and Women's. In response to the collapse of the health system in the Artibonite and South departments, UNICEF deployed approximately 115 health professionals to assist with case management in these departments.

"We remain committed to delivering aid despite the ever-changing realities on the ground, even in hard-to-reach and the most challenging areas. However, additional support is needed to help us protect more children and communities in need today and to move towards building more resilient systems to better protect children in the months ahead," underlines Dr Hulute.

In 2024, UNICEF's plan for Haiti is to continue to scale up the humanitarian response by increasing access to basic services and helping to maintain these services. UNICEF aims to reach at least 650,000 children and women.

IH/ iciHaiti