Amid unchecked violence in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, the crisis has intensified in Artibonite, the nation’s primary rice-growing region. The escalating violence, coupled with unprecedented hunger, malnutrition, and a resurgent cholera epidemic, is wreaking havoc on children and families, destroying livelihoods and plunging the region into a dire humanitarian emergency.
Recent figures reveal a disturbing surge in violence, with at least 60 people killed or injured between May and June 2023 in clashes for territory and resources, compared to four during the same period last year. Nearly half of the country’s 298 kidnappings during that time occurred in Bas Artibonite, where civilians traveling on public transport were frequently targeted, leading to harrowing incidents such as the kidnapping and rape of 15 women heading to the market.
Insecurity has shuttered over 100 schools, leaving only one in four health facilities accessible in the department. Security-related challenges have forced a third of the population, with almost half being children, to require urgent humanitarian assistance.
Families have been forcibly displaced, disrupting rice and agricultural production, a critical lifeline for the economy. The number of displaced people soared to over 22,000 in June, up from less than 10,000 in April. Most sought refuge among host communities, while hundreds languish in makeshift spaces with limited access to basic services or protection from armed groups.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasised the untenable conditions faced by Haitian children and families, calling for urgent international support. The UN Security Council recently adopted a resolution to create a one-year, multinational security support mission in Haiti, but humanitarian workers stress the need for measures to safeguard humanitarian space and protect those at risk.
Artibonite has been particularly hard-hit by a resurgent cholera epidemic, exacerbated by insecurity that hinders access to essential health, water, and sanitation services. Two major water treatment plants have shut down, and the third faces distribution challenges. The combination of escalating insecurity, restricted access, and cholera poses lethal threats, particularly to malnourished children.
Funding remains a critical constraint in addressing the humanitarian crisis. The UN Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023 is just over a quarter funded, and UNICEF has received only 20% of its $246 million funding appeal for 2023. The dire situation in Haiti underscores the urgent need for international support to alleviate the suffering of its people.
