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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Haiti
© European Union, 2021
Haiti

Introduction

Haiti is a chronically fragile state, highly vulnerable to natural hazards and human-induced disasters. The country is presently facing a surge in gang violence amidst deep socio-political instability.

Gang-related violence has reached unprecedented levels: almost 80% of the capital Port-Au-Prince is under control of armed groups, affecting the lives of 1.5 million people.

What are the needs?

Haiti has been grappling with a food crisis for the past 5 years. The ongoing clashes between rival gangs in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and in other departments of the country have created a hostage-like situation for people, making it difficult for them to access basic services such as food, drinking water and health.

Some 4.4 million people (nearly 42% of the population) are currently facing acute food insecurity. This includes 1.4 million living in an emergency situation and about 276,000 children aged between 6 and 59 months, pregnant and nursing women are at risk of acute malnutrition, including over 125,000 severe cases.

Over 362,000 people had to flee their homes to survive, becoming internally displaced. The number of people in need of protection assistance has increased to around 1.2 million in the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan.

The extreme levels of violence have also made it challenging for children to access education. Many schools have closed and many of them are increasingly used as shelters for internally displaced people. At the same time, recruitment of children into armed gangs is an ongoing threat to children’s safety and wellbeing. As of January 2024, an estimated 30-50% of gang members were minors.

In addition, cholera has made its way back into the country. The health system is being severely affected by the degrading crisis and security/logistical constraints. According to the public health authorities, 79,411 suspected cholera cases and 1,172 associated deaths were recorded as of 31 January 2024 (latest update available). The number of cholera cases remains underreported given the failing surveillance system and the health system is close to collapse.

The complex situation has forced many Haitians to leave their country. According to migration authorities in Panama, in 2023, more than 46,000 Haitians crossed the dangerous jungle between Panama and Colombia (known as the Darien gap).

Map_Haiti

How are we helping?

With €510 million allocated since 1994, Haiti is the main recipient of EU humanitarian aid in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The EU has provided humanitarian aid to victims of major crises in Haiti, including the ongoing violence, the effects of the 2021 earthquake, the COVID-19 pandemic, and food shortages and malnutrition in recent years.

Following the floods that afflicted the country in June 2023, ECHO responded by supporting the Haitian Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration to meet immediate needs through the provision of hygiene kits, cooking facilities, drinking water, and the repair of sanitation to reduce the risk of cholera spreading.

In 2024, the EU has allocated €20 million to address the needs of the most vulnerable population. Among the different areas of intervention, the funding aims to:

  • address the survival needs of people affected by the recent increase in political and gang-related violence, including forcibly displaced people;
  • strengthen the capacity of communities to respond to disasters;
  • help provide children with access to quality education in a safe and protected environment;
  • support the emergency response to the cholera epidemic currently affecting Haiti;
  • improve coordination and security management for the humanitarian community.

Since 1998, the EU has invested around €38 million in its disaster preparedness programme, aiming to put in place early warning systems and rapid response capacities.

This funding aims to strengthen the emergency response through strategic partners working closely with national response bodies against recurring natural hazards. Improving the resilience of the most vulnerable communities to natural and epidemic risks remains a priority.

Last updated: 13/03/2024

Facts & figures

5.5 million people in need of humanitarian aid

4.4 million people are estimated to be acute food insecure

276,000 children aged 6-59 months, pregnant and nursing women are at risk of acute malnutrition.

4.7 million people in need of basic health

3,4 million people in need of basic water, sanitation and hygiene services.

EU humanitarian funding:
€20 million in 2024
€510 million since 1994