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UN agencies report fresh displacement in Haiti; child needs surge and $908 million appeal announced
Summary
UN agencies reported clashes on Port-au-Prince’s outskirts displaced more than 1,600 people this week, a sharp rise in child displacement nationally and a nearly $908 million humanitarian appeal to assist 3.9 million people.
The United Nations reported escalating humanitarian needs in Haiti following violent clashes on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince and recent floods that affected multiple departments.
UN and IOM officials said clashes this week between security forces and armed groups led more than 1,600 men, women and children to flee; two-thirds of those displaced had sought refuge with host families and more than 500 people were living in three newly established displacement sites. The UN said humanitarian partners described children’s conditions as dire.
UNICEF figures cited in the briefing showed an increase in child displacement: the number of internally displaced children rose by nearly 50% since September, and partners said roughly 3 million children now need humanitarian assistance, including about 1.2 million children in Port-au-Prince.
OCHA also said floods since November affected roughly 330,000 people across six departments, causing dozens of deaths and damaging nearly 50,000 homes. The briefing said nearly 15,000 Haitians were returned from the Dominican Republic in the first two weeks of January alone, adding to roughly 200,000 returns from across the region last year.
The UN said it is appealing for $908,000,000 to help about 3.9 million people in Haiti and urged the international community to scale up support to meet mounting needs.
Why it matters: rising displacement, child recruitment by gangs and large numbers of people affected by floods are increasing protection and humanitarian needs nationwide.
UN agencies reiterated calls for scaled-up assistance and protection for vulnerable children and displaced families.
