Access to water under the threat of violence in Haiti

Port-au-Prince, Haiti — As Haiti continues to be grappled by violence, every workday is a gamble for Mackenson, a truck driver in Port-au-Prince. Every time he climbs into his truck to fetch water, he prepares to face the unknown.  

"I don’t know if I’ll run into armed groups, if I’ll be kidnapped, or if I’ll die. Every day is a day on borrowed time," he admits. Over 85% of the city he works in is controlled by armed groups. 

In Haiti, more than one million people have been displaced by violence, living in precarious conditions without access to safe drinking water, healthcare or sufficient food. In this context, water, a vital resource, has become a luxury for many families and that’s what makes Mackenson’s role so crucial. 

Delivering water in a hostile environment 

Mackenson spends his days in dangerous territory, facing roadblocks, extortion and sometimes even the confiscation of his truck. 

"Often, we find roadblocks. Sometimes they take my truck. I have to pay money, and after a while, they return it."  

His job is far from simple. It’s much more than being a delivery guy. It’s a daily battle against insecurity to ensure access to water for those who need it most. 

These conditions often cause serious delays in water distribution, with direct consequences for families on displacement sites. The lack of water creates stress, frustration, and anxiety.  

"When we don’t have water, we’re all worried,” says Francisca, a mother-of-four currently staying at a displacement site in Port-au-Prince. “The children need to be clean to go to school. I had to walk all the way to Champs-de-Mars to find water, a 30-minute walk from where I live and sometimes, I couldn’t even find any."  

Water, a source of hope for families 

Despite these obstacles, Mackenson does his best to make this delivery, though delays or missed drop-offs sometimes occur. For him, the reward is seeing the relief on residents’ faces. "I no longer see only the money I earn, but the service I provide. I do this with all my heart." 

Water is vital, especially in environments like displacement sites, where health risks are high.  

"The water we used before wasn’t good,” says Fanfan, a resident of one of the internal displaced sites in Port-au-Prince. “It makes our skin itch every day. There’s a young girl in the room where I live who got an infection from it." 

 Without clean water, the threat of infections, skin diseases, and cholera looms large. 

In response to this crisis, UNICEF and its partners are distributing hygiene kits to vulnerable families displaced by violence. Water continues to be delivered to sites for internally displaced people by trucks, and awareness sessions on water treatment and hygiene practices are organized regularly. In the long term, The National Directorate for Potable Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), with support from UNICEF, is installing water kiosks in crisis-affected communities to provide a more reliable and sustainable source of clean water. 

A crucial job despite daily risks 

Despite the insecurity and dangers that define each day, Mackenson remains committed. "I do all of this for the people. I know they need this water, and I’m proud to be able to help them." 

The courage of Mackenson and other truck drivers who risk their lives every day to deliver water is an essential act of solidarity to preserve the health, well-being and hope of thousands of displaced people. 

This life-saving water programme would not be possible without funding from the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Republic of Korea, the People of Japan and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).