Humanitarian Action for Children 2020: Haiti

This edition of UNICEF's Humanitarian Action for Children appeal covers 2020, following a year in which unstable and fragile economic, political and social conditions and recurring civil unrest culminated in a countrywide shutdown in September 2019 that is expected to raise needs in 2020. An estimated 3.7 million Haitians were food insecure and over 65,500 children under 5 suffered acute malnutrition, while more than 850,000 vulnerable people needed access to primary health care. About 10,000 Haitians continued to be denied entry to or deported from the Dominican Republic every month.

The cholera epidemic was on the decline, with no confirmed cases since February 2019 and an 80 percent decrease in suspected cases since 2018, though continuous surveillance remained necessary to declare complete elimination. As of 31 August 2019, UNICEF had USD 10.7 million available against its USD 23.9 million appeal (44 percent funded). UNICEF's rapid response and community awareness-raising for cholera reached over 170,000 people, more than 7,000 children and nearly 300 teachers benefited from WASH rehabilitation in schools damaged by the October 2018 earthquake, and UNICEF covered 90 percent of the country's therapeutic nutrition needs, reaching over 18,300 children with acute malnutrition.

For 2020, UNICEF requests USD 18.6 million to strengthen national capacity to manage acute malnutrition, continue supporting the Government's Plan for Cholera Elimination 2013-2022, provide protection assistance to children affected by natural disasters, insecurity and migration, and maintain emergency preparedness and contingency supplies.