A mother sits with her child while attending a handwashing training session organized by ORRAH in collaboration with UNICEF in Croix Desprez IDP site
UNICEF/UNI557553/Erol

UNICEF provides cash to displaced families and strengthens critical social services.

This initiative aims to address the urgent needs of families affected by the escalating crises in Haiti, who face complete decapitalization.

-
Tojotsilavina Naval Ravoavison
28 June 2024

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 28 June 2024 - UNICEF, in partnership with the Government of Haiti and local organizations, has launched a comprehensive cash transfer program to support 7,000 displaced households in the Artibonite and West departments, two of the country’s hotspots of armed violence. This initiative aims to address the urgent needs of families affected by the escalating crises in Haiti, who face complete decapitalization.


Haiti is currently grappling with multiple crises that have displaced almost 600,000 people and plunged thousands of families deeper into poverty. According to a recent UNICEF assessment, 700,000 individuals have been newly impoverished, significantly affecting children's living conditions and compromising households’ ability to protect their rights and meet their needs.


The ongoing crises have left many families extremely vulnerable, pushing them into various forms of deprivation. The cash transfers aim to respond to their immediate needs, assist in their reintegration, and empower families to meet essential needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. This approach allows families the autonomy to allocate resources as they see fit.

A girl shows her work created during a psychosocial and educational workshop organized by APADEH in collaboration with UNICEF at the École Nationale Argentine de Belgarde in Port-au-Prince.
UNICEF/UNI557179/Erol
A girl shows her work created during a psychosocial and educational workshop organized by APADEH in collaboration with UNICEF at the École Nationale Argentine de Belgarde in Port-au-Prince.

"With UNICEF's help, I was able to buy school supplies for my children and food for our family. We've faced incredibly tough times, but this support has given us hope and the strength to move forward," said Marie, a mother of three in the West department.

Bolstering Social Services
In addition to direct aid to families, UNICEF has initiated several key projects to reinforce essential social services, including a catch-up education programme and healthcare system support.


To ensure all children have access to quality education, UNICEF has financed the salaries of 2,500 teachers participating in the catch-up education program. This support has helped bridge educational gaps caused by disruptions, enabling children to continue their education under improved conditions. Since the program's launch, over 6,000 children have been successfully reintegrated into the educational system, with more than 80% of participating students achieving significant improvements.

A child receives medical care during a consultation at a mobile clinic organized by Médecins du Monde Argentina in collaboration with UNICEF at Lycée Marie Jeanne in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
UNICEF/UNI557561/Erol
A child receives medical care during a consultation at a mobile clinic organized by Médecins du Monde Argentina in collaboration with UNICEF at Lycée Marie Jeanne in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Prioritizing the health of displaced populations and host communities, UNICEF has funded the salaries of 1,000 healthcare professionals in the Artibonite, West, North, South, and South-East departments. This support has ensured that healthcare services remain accessible and of high quality, addressing the critical needs of local populations. Over the past six months, this initiative has enabled more than 50,000 medical consultations, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive essential healthcare services.


"Despite the extremely insecure and volatile environment, UNICEF and partners are stepping up efforts to protect children and families and provide the lifesaving support they desperately need,” said Bruno Maes, UNICEF Representative in Haiti.


"Working closely with local partners in Port-au-Prince and beyond, we've been able to reach even the most inaccessible areas recently. However, if the current situation persists, it could jeopardize all our operations. Urgent measures are needed to secure access and ensure continued aid delivery,” he concluded.


UNICEF is dedicated to providing both immediate and long-term support to Haiti's most vulnerable populations. These initiatives have been made possible thanks to the support of the EU Humanitarian Aid and the US Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.