ReliefWeb

HIGHLIGHTS – TWO MONTHS AFTER MATTHEW

(This will be the final SitRep specific to Hurricane Matthew. All future SitReps will encompass all humanitarian action in Haiti, including Hurricane Matthew)

In the two months since Matthew, UNICEF, has:

• Delivered safe water to over 281,000 individuals, including 118,000 children on a recurring basis
• Supported vaccination of 756,191 individuals against cholera in targeted communes (over 288,000 children 1-14 years old) and educated them about the disease and its prevention
• Restored 37 cold-chain systems in affected health facilities
• Provided support to 20 foster-care families to maintain their capacity to be a part of the alternative care system
• Completed the rehabilitation of 14 schools, allowing up to 4,200 children to return to classes
• Rehabilitated 31 malnutrition outpatient treatment centers in Grand’Anse and South and two inpatient facilities per department
• Established GBV referral pathways and mechanisms including community-based mental health mechanisms, emergency accommodation, and transportation for survivors Some of the initial challenges to access remain, and are gradually being overcome as roadways continue to open and delivery measures are adapted.

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

In the medium to long-term, the resilience of populations affected by the hurricane Matthew and the wellbeing of children will continue to be a concern with large portions of the population having lost their livelihoods, protracted food insecurity and persistent risk of disease exacerbated by disruption to the infrastructure of water and sanitation, education, and health.

It is common, in Haiti, for loss of livelihood to result in child separation as parents place their children in residential care facilities in the often-false expectation that they will receive access to education that parents can no longer afford. Economic stress is also known to lead to violence, and increased social tension which combine to increase the potential for child abuse and neglect.

Malnutrition is another concern that will continue to affect communities as they struggle to recover. In the next 6 months, UNICEF projects a caseload of approximately 11,100 children under 5 with moderate and acute malnutrition in the two most-affected departments (Grand’Anse and South), of which 3,000 with severe acute malnutrition.

In response, UNICEF’s medium to long-term focus remains on strengthening WASH infrastructure; child protection programmes aimed at keeping families together; and education, health, and nutrition interventions to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive and thrive.

The results of the 20 November presidential elections were made known on 27 November, indicating Jovenel Moise may be the next president of Haiti having received 55.6% of votes cast according to the preliminary reports. Three candidates participating in elections have officially submitted complaints to the relevant entities and their final ruling on these complaints, followed by declaration of the official election results, is expected for 29 December. Despite this uncertainty, disruptions to programming linked to the elections has remained minimal.