Haiti Appeal

Haiti continues to face one of the world's most complex humanitarian crises, characterized by a fragile political transition (with no further elections scheduled until 2026), escalating violence by armed groups, a socioeconomic collapse and severe environmental risks. Although the Multinational Security Support mission, authorized by the Security Council to support security restoration within Haiti, has begun operations, it is only operating at half-capacity as of year-end 2024. Consequently, more than 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince remains under the control or influence of armed groups, with frequent clashes, forced displacement and significant protection risks for children, women and marginalized communities. 

In 2025, an estimated 6 million people, including 3.3 million children, will require humanitarian assistance as compounding crises intensify. Currently, 703,000 individuals, including more than 350,000 children, are internally displaced. While many are sheltered by host communities in the southern departments, most displaced people in Port-au-Prince live in overcrowded, unsanitary displacements sites.

Furthermore, armed group presence and control of all national routes continues to hamper humanitarian access throughout the country, isolating regions from the capital and driving up operational logistics costs. More than 5 million people face acute food insecurity, with emergency (Integrated Phase Classification [IPC] Phase 4) and famine (IPC Phase 5) pockets emerging, particularly among displaced populations. Malnutrition has reached emergency thresholds, with over 125,000 children under age 5 at risk of severe wasting. 

Violence and insecurity have gravely impacted education, disrupting children's learning and increasing risks of recruitment by armed groups, social exclusion and gender-based violence. Up to 94 percent of women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence, compounded by limited access to essential social and protection services. During the 2023–2024 school year, 919 schools were affected by violence and insecurity, with nearly half closing completely, impacting at least 50,000 students.

Despite the efforts of the Haitian government and partners, around 35 per cent of the Haitian population continues to lack access to safe drinking water. By mid-2024, critical WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) infrastructure in Ouest Department had become non-functional due to armed occupation and displacement. A persistent cholera outbreak, exacerbated by a collapsing health care system, inadequate hygiene practices and a lack of water and sanitation infrastructure, has resulted in more than 87,000 suspected cases (including 4,861 confirmed cases)since October 2022, despite efforts to control the outbreak.

Urgent needs remain as 1.2 million children and caregivers require nutrition assistance; 1.6 million children need protection services; 3.8 million people require access to safe water; and 1.5 million children and teachers need emergency education assistance.

In addition, Haiti’s high vulnerability to natural disasters including earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts and floods further intensifies the urgent need for resources. Despite some progress, investments in disaster preparedness remain insufficient to mitigate future risks effectively.

In 2025, UNICEF will ensure the continuity and expansion of life-saving humanitarian response efforts in Haiti, contributing to nexus and localization strategies that address increasing needs across sectors. UNICEF will respond to the severity of the complex crises by reinforcing and tailoring its support to internally displaced populations, host communities, deportees and other vulnerable groups affected by armed violence. 

In areas specifically impacted by armed violence and within hard-to-reach, spontaneously established internal displacement sites, UNICEF will prioritize humanitarian access, rapid response and local partnerships. The goal is to deliver emergency services through WASH centres, health and nutrition support and child protection mobile teams. Institutions will receive urgent assistance to support the referral of cases requiring specialized care. Education access, both formal and non-formal, will continue to be integrated with protection programming where possible to enhance safety and stability for children. 

UNICEF’s health interventions will prioritize maternal-child primary health care services, including immunization and treatment of acute watery diarrhoea at UNICEF-supported facilities. Support for the health system will include bolstering capacities of community health care workers and networks. In nutrition, UNICEF will work to strengthen preventive measures, early screening, treatment of wasting and promotion of optimal nutrition practices. 

To protect children from violence, exploitation and family separation, UNICEF will deliver specialized care, ensuring safe referrals and case management for victims of armed and other forms of violence, alongside individualized care plans. Education programming will foster learning and promote social cohesion through safe learning spaces, school supplies and psychosocial support.

UNICEF will ensure access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene through drinking water trucking, household water treatment and storage, infrastructure rehabilitation, waste management and hygiene promotion. Efforts to prevent waterborne diseases, including cholera, will focus on case-area targeted interventions, WASH 'shield' strategies and risk communication and community engagement. 

In overburdened host communities and areas with limited social services due to the flight of human capital (i.e., brain drain), UNICEF will support rapid system strengthening in health care, education and protection. This includes incentives for teachers, social workers and health care providers. Humanitarian cash transfers will also continue to be used to directly support families as part of UNICEF's ongoing emergency response. 

Gender equality and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse will be mainstreamed throughout UNICEF's response through awareness campaigns, and there will be clear reporting channels and reinforced accountability mechanisms. Community platforms and front-line workers will also be mobilized. 

Finally, investment in preparedness and anticipatory action across sectors will remain a priority to protect and empower vulnerable populations in the face of recurring crises.