Haiti Emergency Appeal
Six months on, the destruction caused by the 12 January earthquake in Haiti is still having a dramatic impact on over three million people, of whom 800,000 are estimated to be children. Over 220,000 people lost their lives, 300,000 people were injured and 4,000 people lost a limb after being caught in the rubble of what had once been a home, a school, a workplace, or a place for the community to gather.
In a country where nearly 46 per cent of the population is under eighteen, the earthquake also triggered an unprecedented emergency for children. The number of children who died in the earthquake will probably never be known and today many remain affected while many more are considered at risk.
UNICEF has been active in Haiti since 1949, so was pre-positioned to begin providing immediate support. Within days of the quake striking, UNICEF had delivered tents, medical trauma kits, safe drinking water, high energy biscuits to combat malnutrition, and other emergency supplies. UNICEF mobilised its resources to provide life-saving assistance and support the government in coordinating the response and initiating early recovery efforts. Today UNICEF is providing safe water to 333,000 people, 62,800 children are benefiting from recreational activities and psychosocial support, and more than 185,000 children have received educational materials.
UNICEF has worked in close collaboration with the Government of Haiti, other UN agencies, and numerous international and national NGOs by helping set-up schools, latrines, water-points and helping protect children and keep them healthy.
However, living conditions remain extremely precarious and challenges remain daunting.
Sanitation is a major concern, with only one latrine for 145 people in spontaneous sites and potentially dire consequences for the spread of disease. Access to education is another concern as schools in affected areas have registered sharp drops in enrolment.
Six months on, immediate support for earthquake affected people remains the priority. Reaching the hardest to reach, the poorest of the poor, and the most vulnerable both in earthquake affected areas and in every district is the medium-term goal. UNICEF plans to deliver on its commitments and ensure children everywhere in Haiti can realise their rights to survival, education and protection, and grow up with dignity and hope in the future.
It costs very little to help a lot.
• $250 can provide 172 packets of high energy biscuits specially formulated for malnourished children in emergency situations.
• $280 can provide life-saving therapeutic feeding for 65 severely malnourished children.
• $125 can provide enough vitamin A capsules to increase 58 children’s chances of survival.
Please give all you can to UNICEF’s Haiti Earthquake appeal and help make a difference.
UNICEF is not funded by the UN. We rely on voluntary contributions for our work with children.
Donate to UNICEF Australia’s Haiti Emergency Appeal by clicking on this link or call 1300 884 233.
For every dollar donated for the Haiti earthquake, through UNICEF Australia, a minimum of 90 cents will reach children affected.
As news on the plight of Haitian children and their families fades from the media, UNICEF seeks the support of committed individuals for our long-term work in Haiti. Join us as a UNICEF Haiti Partner giving a monthly gift and help Haitians rebuild their country.
Click here for more information or call 1300 134 071 to become a UNICEF Haiti Partner today.