Nadege and her children's struggle for survival.

Léogâne, Haiti –Nadege, a 37-year-old mother of four, appears burdened by the weight of the world. Her distressed gaze speaks volumes. After walking for hours, she and her children reached Léogâne, seeking refuge in one of the makeshift sites established in the town. They arrived with no resources or shelter.

The situation in Haiti is dire. Armed groups control 80% of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, terrorizing the population by setting houses on fire and launching attacks, such as the recent ones in Gressier – a commune previously untouched by armed violence. This violence has forced over 33,000 people to flee their homes, seeking refuge in Léogâne, either with host families or in makeshift camps.

Escaping violence again

" We had to escape the violence of armed groups for the second time. The first time, we fled Port-au-Prince and sought refuge at a friend's house in Gressier," explained Nadege. "Now, armed groups attacked Gressier, forcing us to flee again, this time to Léogâne. We could only take what we were wearing."

Between January and March 2024, more 2,500 people were killed or injured due to gang-related violence, including at least 82 children. This period has been the most violent since the beginning of 2022. Additionally, the collapse of the healthcare system and the closure of schools in violence-affected areas exacerbate the situation.

Conditions in displacement sites are precarious. Families sleep outdoors or in improvised shelters, lacking clean water and sanitation facilities. The lack of privacy and the health risks associated with open defecation are constant sources of concern.

Hopes and fears

Nadege shared her fears and hopes for her children's future. Formerly a housekeeper in Port-au-Prince, she now relies on other people’s generosity to meet her family's needs. "We sleep under a makeshift shelter with no doors or surveillance. To feed my children, I wait for prayer days to ask pilgrims for help, but there are no prayers every day. It's very difficult," she said.

Despite the challenges, she refuses to return to her original neighborhood, fearing for her children's safety. "I don't want to expose my children to the violence of armed groups. I want to be in a safe place for me and my children. I want my children to go to school to prepare for their future. But I won't return to Gressier or Port-au-Prince for anything in the world," she explained.

A common struggle

This story, while unique in its details, reflects the lives of many families in Haiti. Thousands of families are trapped in violence and poverty, struggling every day to survive.

Getting to Léogâne from Port-au-Prince is challenging due to the presence of armed groups controlling the main route to the South. This further complicates the mobilization and delivery of humanitarian aid to displaced children and families.

However, with the financial support from the Irish Aid, UNICEF and its partners are providing vital assistance to the most vulnerable families like Nadege's. Hygiene kits are distributed to prevent diseases like cholera, while efforts are underway to provide basic services to displaced people and psychological support to children in different sites.