Haiti: UNICEF ‘extremely concerned’ about childern

UNICEF ‘extremely concerned’ about safety of children in quake-hit Haiti

Wellington, 20 January 2010. – The situation facing children in the chaos following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti last week is of growing concern, according to the UN Children’s Fund.

UNICEF NZ Executive Director, Dennis McKinlay, says that almost half of Haiti’s population are under 18 – the most vulnerable group after a disaster.

“We are extremely concerned about the situation of children in Haiti. On top of the increased risk of disease and malnutrition, children in Haiti are at added risk of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“Children are also dealing with the serious emotional trauma associated with witnessing the death and destruction caused by the earthquake. Many children are living on the streets, too afraid to return to their homes. They will unfortunately be seeing human misery and suffering all around them. Other children have lost or become separated from their families.”

Mr McKinlay says UNICEF emergency supplies and personnel started arriving in Haiti immediately after the quake and aid continues to flow in by air and land. Some 25 emergency staff have joined the 54 already in-country at the time of the quake.

UNICEF is playing a key role in providing safe drinking water via 35 distribution points around the capital Port-au-Prince, up from 15 distribution points just a few days ago. UNICEF is also providing water containers, water purification tablets, and oral rehydration salts.

“These essential supplies are meeting the water needs of hundreds of thousands of people, many of them children, and reducing the likelihood of the spread of deadly diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera.”

Mr McKinlay says it is vital for the well-being of children who are lost or have become separated from their families to be reunited with their families, or someone they already know.

“UNICEF is working with partner agencies in Haiti on ways to protect children, including a family tracing service and coordinating with authorities on trafficking issues at the Haiti-Dominican Republic border and within the region.

“Another way to protect children is to return them to the ‘safe spaces’ created by schools. With many schools damaged or destroyed, UNICEF is bringing in supplies to allow for temporary schools to start as soon as possible.

“Getting children back to school not only establishes a sense of normalcy in their lives, it also provides a safe and protective environment, and can help overcome the emotional distress they will be experiencing.”

People can donate to UNICEF NZ's Haiti Emergency Appeal on 0800-800-194 or online at www.unicef.org.nz

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