UNICEF issued a warning this week that Haiti’s health care system is at risk of collapse due to a combination of factors. The UNICEF representative, Bruno Maes, stated that the ongoing violence in Port-Au-Prince, mass displacement, dangerous epidemics and increasing malnutrition have put significant strain on the country’s health system.
Six out of 10 hospitals in Haiti have been severely impacted by the escalating violence in Port-Au-Prince, making it difficult for them to function effectively. UNICEF highlighted that the crisis is preventing children from accessing life-saving medication and health supplies. In response to this crisis, Kenyan police are expected to initiate a U.N.-backed multinational mission in Haiti to address gang violence. Meanwhile, UNICEF is utilizing alternative delivery routes to ensure that Haitian children receive critical medicines and vaccines despite the challenges.
The situation in Haiti has been further compounded by the outbreak of cholera, with 82,000 suspected cases reported between October 2022 and April 2024. Approximately 4.4 million people in Haiti are in urgent need of food assistance, increasing the risk of child-wasting and malnutrition. UNICEF emphasized the importance of delivering vital supplies to save children’s lives promptly, urging action to prevent further suffering in the country.
Overall, immediate attention and support from the international community are required to prevent further devastation and restore stability to Haiti’s health care system and humanitarian crisis.
