UNICEF ensures access to safe drinking water for 30,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Port-au-Prince amidst crises.
UNICEF ensures access to safe drinking water for 30,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Port-au-Prince amidst ... UNICEF
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UNICEF Provides Safe Drinking Water to Displaced Children and Families in Haiti
Introduction
PORT-AU-PRINCE, 8 May 2024 – Since the coordinated attacks that paralyzed the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, UNICEF, alongside the National Directorate for Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) and partners, has provided about 2,66 million liters of safe drinking water to over 30,000 displaced children and families across 20 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) sites in the city.
The Current Situation
The recent escalation of violence by armed groups has compounded the already dire situation faced by children and families in Haiti. Most of the capital city remains engulfed in extreme violence, exacerbating the challenges faced by countless families and children who lack essential support and facilities. The situation is further exacerbated by the rainy season, leading to major floodings in lowlands of Port-au-Prince and the resurgence of cholera cases in the area of Cite Soleil.
Water-Borne Diseases and Cholera Outbreak
“With no drinking quality water and adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities, displaced children are exposed to water-borne diseases, more specifically to a widespread cholera outbreak,” says Ruben Um Bayiha, Chief of UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Programme.
UNICEF’s Response
“Operating in such an insecure and volatile environment is akin to navigating a war zone every day. Despite these challenges, UNICEF and its partners are intensifying efforts to protect children and families and provide the lifesaving support they desperately need,” he emphasizes.
UNICEF leads the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) response, providing over 50% of overall support, ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services at all displacement sites. Initiatives include:
- Trucking water
- Treating piped water
- Repairing water supply and sanitation systems
- Building temporary latrines
- Providing essential hygiene items
- Delivering hygiene messages
Outcomes of UNICEF’s WASH Efforts
Throughout March, UNICEF’s WASH efforts have yielded significant outcomes, with over 700,000 gallons (2,66 million liters) of chlorinated water distributed to displaced families and children. Collaborative efforts with partners such as Solidarités International, ORRAH, and ACTED have ensured that essential needs were met even in the most challenging circumstances.
Furthermore, UNICEF and partners have:
- Distributed hygiene kits to almost 11,000 internally displaced persons across six sites
- Prioritized improving sanitary conditions in high-risk IDP sites, including removing and safely disposing about 78 m3 of fecal sludge from three (3) IDPs sites accommodating about 7,000 individuals
Future Plans
Looking ahead, UNICEF remains committed to addressing the evolving needs of vulnerable populations, particularly as the region braces for the upcoming cyclone season.
“This crisis will worsen unless the response is scaled up urgently. UNICEF appeals for flexible funding that enables swift, adaptable, and life-saving responses to the most urgent needs of impacted populations,” Mr. Ruben Um Bayiha emphasizes.
Sustainable Development Goals
In 2024, UNICEF aims to reach across Haiti:
- 884,000 people accessing a sufficient quantity and quality of water for drinking and domestic needs
- 176,400 people accessing appropriate sanitation services
- 884,000 people reached with critical WASH supplies
Financial Support
These humanitarian relief activities were made possible thanks to the financial support from:
- USAID-BHA
- The Government of Canada
- The Worldbank
- The Spanish Committee for UNICEF
- The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all | – Number of liters of safe drinking water provided to displaced children and families – Number of displaced families and children with access to safe drinking water |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations | – Number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) with access to appropriate sanitation services – Amount of fecal sludge safely disposed from IDP sites |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases | – Number of cholera cases in the area of Cite Soleil – Number of displaced children exposed to water-borne diseases |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships | – Number of collaborative efforts with partners to meet essential needs in challenging circumstances |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The article discusses the lack of safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and hygiene facilities faced by displaced children and families in Haiti. This aligns with SDG 6, which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article mentions the risk of a cholera outbreak due to the lack of drinking quality water and sanitation facilities. This relates to SDG 3, which focuses on combating water-borne diseases and improving overall health and well-being.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article highlights the collaborative efforts between UNICEF and its partners to provide essential support and services in challenging circumstances. This demonstrates the importance of partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
SDG 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
The article mentions that UNICEF aims to reach 884,000 people in Haiti with a sufficient quantity and quality of water for drinking and domestic needs.
SDG 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all
The article states that UNICEF aims to reach 176,400 people in Haiti with appropriate sanitation services.
SDG 3.3: End the epidemics of water-borne diseases
The article highlights the risk of a cholera outbreak in the area of Cite Soleil, emphasizing the need to combat water-borne diseases.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– Number of liters of safe drinking water provided to displaced children and families
– Number of displaced families and children with access to safe drinking water
– Number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) with access to appropriate sanitation services
– Amount of fecal sludge safely disposed from IDP sites
– Number of cholera cases in the area of Cite Soleil
– Number of displaced children exposed to water-borne diseases
– Number of collaborative efforts with partners to meet essential needs in challenging circumstances
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets by tracking the quantity and quality of water provided, the number of people with access to sanitation services, the reduction in cholera cases, and the effectiveness of collaborative efforts.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all | – Number of liters of safe drinking water provided to displaced children and families – Number of displaced families and children with access to safe drinking water |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations | – Number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) with access to appropriate sanitation services – Amount of fecal sludge safely disposed from IDP sites |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases | – Number of cholera cases in the area of Cite Soleil – Number of displaced children exposed to water-borne diseases |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships | – Number of collaborative efforts with partners to meet essential needs in challenging circumstances |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: unicef.org
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