UNICEF director: 'World is failing Haitian people'

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - UNICEF executive director on Thursday warned of global failure in supporting Haiti and said urgent action is needed for a decent future for its people.

"Collectively the world is failing the Haitian people, and unless we take immediate action, it is hard to imagine a decent future for the population," said Catherine Russell. "We must restore trust and be better at listening to what the Haitian people say they need".

She made the remarks at the UN headquarters in New York after her visit to Haiti last week.

"Today, an estimated 5.2 million people, or close to half of the entire population, require humanitarian assistance in Haiti. This includes nearly 3 million children," said Russell.

She emphasized that there are now more Haitian people in need than ever before.

"Critically, the institutions and services that children rely on are barely functional, resources are in short supply, and violent armed groups control over 60% of Haiti’s capital and parts of the country’s primary agricultural areas," she added.

"The current situation of insecurity is unacceptable. Women and children are dying. Schools and public spaces should always be safe," she said.

- Violence in Haiti

Social unrest in Haiti was fueled by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that killed over 2,200 people and destroyed tens of thousands of homes in August that same year, inflation, cholera cases, kidnappings and increased violence.

Hundreds of people have lost their lives since April 2022 due to clashes between armed groups in the country.