Haiti
Photo taken from Al Jazeera Introduction
A country that was previously praised for its determination, lively community, and cultural diversity is now dealing with a growing humanitarian disaster: the water crisis, which puts the lives of over 11 million Haitians including 3 million children who are currently in need of humanitarian assistance in jeopardy. The most basic needs of drinking, cooking, and bathing have turned into a struggle for existence in a place where pure water is becoming more and more scarce. The crisis has a catastrophic effect on families and children, regardless of age or social standing. Acting now is not just a duty, but rather the collective responsibility of the world community and our humanity.
Background
Inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure have long been a problem in Haiti. Just 64% of Haitians have access to better water sources and 26% had better sanitation as of 2010, with urban rates at 34% and rural rates at a startling 17%. By 2020, just 43% of rural regions have access to basic drinking water, down from 50% in 1990 and 48% in 2015. Even metropolitan regions are still at risk; nationwide, 26% of families do not have access to better water sources (41% in rural areas and 5% in urban areas).
A toxic combination of gang violence, political instability, and frequent natural calamities exacerbates these shortcomings. Up to 85% of Port-au-Prince is currently under the control of armed groups, which interferes with water distribution routes and hinders infrastructure maintenance. Hurricanes and floods can destroy already brittle systems, making life much more dangerous for families, particularly in areas where people have been displaced.
A Disaster for Humanity
Not only is it disruptive, but not having access to safe water can be fatal. The most susceptible are at risk from waterborne illnesses like cholera, diarrhea, and skin infections. Today, Haiti's biggest number of children in need of aid is close to 3 million. More than a million people have been displaced by armed conflict since the beginning of 2025, and many of them lack consistent access to safe water.
UNICEF's ongoing interventions reflect the gravity of the crisis:
In 2024, they gave nearly 30,000 families financial support, enhanced sanitation for 95,000 people, and gave 57,000 people access to safe water. In May 2024, they provided hygiene kits, latrine help, and 2.66 million liters of chlorinated water to more than 30,000 displaced children and families throughout IDP sites. Over 51,000 individuals, including almost 27,000 children, were displaced by violence in April 2025; many of them without access to potable water, sanitary facilities, or shelter, which resulted in the emergence of respiratory illnesses and acute watery diarrhea. Long lines or dangerous trips to get water, interruptions to school, and the possibility of illness are all intolerable hardships for families. While children suffer from malnutrition, stunting (affecting roughly 22% of children under five), and sad mortality (one in fifteen dying before age five), caregivers are forced to make hard decisions between food and water, safety and health. A basic human right, clean water is necessary for children's survival, education, and dignity. It is urgent; it is not optional. By supporting water delivery organizations, pushing for legislative changes, and spreading awareness, each of us can have an impact.
National and international actors are organizing to offer Haitian households relief and long-term answers in spite of the crisis's severity. With an emphasis on protecting children from malnourishment and illness, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and regional NGOs are providing displaced communities with food aid, clean water, and emergency shelter. While community-led efforts seek to restore access to education and establish safe spaces for children, international donors are funding mobile clinics and school food programs. In an effort to lessen gang violence and bring stability back to impacted neighborhoods, efforts are also being made to improve local governance and security infrastructure. One of the best methods for those outside of Haiti to contribute in recovery is to support respectable humanitarian groups with cash contributions, advocacy, and awareness-raising efforts. For Haiti's children and families to have a safer, more hopeful future and to end the cycle of violence, there must be persistent, collective action from both domestic and international sources.
Works Cited
Bureau des Nations Unies pour la Coordination des Affaires Humanitaires. (2023). Haiti: Humanitarian response overview. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-humanitarian-response-overview-2023
Human Rights Watch. (2023, October). Haiti: Armed gangs drive humanitarian crisis. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/26/haiti-armed-gangs-drive-humanitarian-crisis
United Nations Children’s Fund. (2023). Haiti humanitarian situation report. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/haiti-humanitarian-situation-report
World Bank. (2023). Haiti overview. The World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/haiti/overview
World Health Organization. (2023). Haiti emergency health situation report. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/haiti-emergency-health-situation
