Let’s raise the red card against child malnutrition in Haiti

Port-au-Prince, Haiti —Violence, forced displacement, and the collapse of the health system have pushed thousands of families in Haiti to the brink.  Today, nearly 2.85 million children, a quarter of the country’s entire child population, are now facing acute food insecurity. Over one million of them are in emergency levels of need, and their lives are at risk. 

In response, UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health & Population and with support from the European Union through ECHO, is implementing life-saving interventions to detect, treat and prevent malnutrition among the most vulnerable children.  

This video series, titled “Red Card Against Malnutrition in Haiti,” uncovers the stories of the heroes working daily save children from life-threatening malnutrition. Behind every malnourished child lies a face. A future at-risk statistic is a name, a face, a life worth saving, and every action counts. 

United against malnutrition: UNICEF’s partnership with the government at the heart of the response 

The Ministry of Public Health & Population and UNICEF are joining forces to step up the response to child malnutrition. Health workers across the country are being trained and equipped to screen children early, monitor cases, and deliver timely care. Through this collaboration, more children are being identified on time, receiving the care they need, and growing up healthy.

Community health workers: Vital support for families in hard-to-reach areas 

In neighborhoods controlled by armed groups and in displacement sites, community health workers play a critical frontline role. Despite insecurity, they go into communities to screen children for malnutrition, refer them to health institutions and raise awareness among families on what they can do to prevent their children from becoming sick. 

Francesca,  a displaced mother herself, dedicates her time to educating other mothers  on how to protect their children from malnutrition

Public hospitals: Fragile yet essential strongholds 

UNICEF works with the entire health system to strengthen access to healthcare for children and their families. At the La Paix University Hospital, the last major public hospital still functioning in Port-au-Prince, children with acute malnutrition are receiving care despite immense difficulties. 

Dr. Florence shares the challenges and commitment of the teams striving to keep these life-saving services running.

Naïcka’s story: A baby saved, hope reborn 

Thanks to collective efforts, thousands of children are recovering their health. In 2024,  nearly 93,000 children were successfully treated for moderate and severe acute malnutrition.  

 Among them is Naïcka’s baby, who recovered because of timely intervention and dedicated care. 

These actions would not be possible without financial support from the European Union, through ECHO, which enables UNICEF to continue providing life-saving assistance to children suffering from malnutrition.