UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Published purpose

October 2015 - Haiti continues to host the largest cholera epidemic in the Western Hemisphere. More than 20,500 cases of cholera and 175 deaths have been registered so far in 2015, a considerable increase compared to the same period in 2014. In addition, due to ongoing effects of “El Nino” and drought, an estimated 30 percent of the Haitian population continues to have significant challenges in meeting their basic food needs and more than 1 million people are severely food insecure. With Canada's support and other donors, UNICEF is helping respond to humanitarian needs in Haiti. Project activities include: (1) treating children for severe acute malnutrition; (2) providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, as well as health services for preventing water-borne diseases; (3) protection services for women and children arriving to Haiti from the Dominican Republic, including unaccompanied minors; and (4) improving access to water distribution systems in high-risk urban areas.