“Thousands of children at risk”: UN warns of escalating crisis in Haiti
Key Points(5)
- The United Nations is sounding the alarm over the growing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where a recent wave of armed violence in the Centre Department has displaced more than 50,000 people — including an estimated 15,000 children — since mid-April.
- During Thursday’s <a href="https://press.un.org/en/2025/db250508.doc.htm">press briefing</a>, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said the situation is becoming increasingly dire, especially for the youngest victims.
- “Thousands of children are at risk,” he said, as families seek refuge in rural areas and overcrowded temporary shelters with little or no access to basic services.
- In response, UN field teams and humanitarian partners are stepping up efforts to provide psychosocial support and child protection services in the hardest-hit communities.
- So far, over 1,400 children have received individual counseling and recreational activities in safe spaces.
The United Nations is sounding the alarm over the growing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where a recent wave of armed violence in the Centre Department has displaced more than 50,000 people — including an estimated 15,000 children — since mid-April.
During Thursday’s press briefing, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said the situation is becoming increasingly dire, especially for the youngest victims. “Thousands of children are at risk,” he said, as families seek refuge in rural areas and overcrowded temporary shelters with little or no access to basic services.
In response, UN field teams and humanitarian partners are stepping up efforts to provide psychosocial support and child protection services in the hardest-hit communities. So far, over 1,400 children have received individual counseling and recreational activities in safe spaces.
Efforts are also underway to assist children who have been separated from their families, exposed to sexual and gender-based violence, or targeted for recruitment by armed groups. At least 150 of these vulnerable cases have been referred to specialized care services.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is leading the charge in coordinating life-saving assistance, but Haq stressed that resources are falling far short of what’s needed. “Additional funding is urgently needed to meet rising needs, especially with the hurricane season approaching,” he warned.
According to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, more than $44 million is required for child protection efforts alone. However, the overall appeal for Haiti — which totals over $908 million — is currently less than 8% funded, with just $68 million received so far.
The dire update from Haiti comes as UN Secretary-General António Guterres chairs the biannual session of the Chief Executives Board in Denmark, where discussions are focused on adapting to new global realities and upholding respect for international law.
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