Haiti Emergency Situation Report No. 30 (as of 2 August 2024)

This report is produced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Haiti in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the humanitarian situation in the country from 19 July to 2 August 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Haitian Government, with support from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), is leading efforts to contain anthrax fever cases.

• The United States Government announced US$60 million contribution for humanitarian relief.

• The Global Fund for Education in Emergencies, Education Cannot Wait, provided US$2.5 million to support educational efforts in the Ouest and Artibonite departments.

• The World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners transported nearly 270 tons of food and non-food items for operations in the Sud and Ouest.

$60M In additional funding from the US to support humanitarian response, released on 24 July

24.2% Humanitarian Response Plan funding coverage, with five months to go before the end of the year

37 Number of probable cases of anthrax as of 25 Jul

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Between 1 April and 30 June, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) recorded 1,379 victims of murders and injuries caused by armed groups across the country. Although this number is 45 per cent lower than the previous quarter, the situation remains alarming. Armed groups have affected infrastructure in the regions of Port-au-Prince and Artibonite the most, along with a rise in sexual violence targeting women and girls. In Port-au-Prince alone, these groups have vandalized or looted about 450 public buildings, homes, and businesses.

The violence has also affected many socio-economic sectors, including education. According to the Education Data Statistical Report in Emergencies for June 2024, covering January to June 2024, 919 schools are closed in the Ouest and Artibonite departments, with 515 completely closed. In January 2024, there were 942 closed schools, with 403 completely closed. These closures affect about 156,000 students, which is about 4.9 per cent of the 18,6491 schools in the country.

In response to the education crisis, the Global Fund for Education in Emergencies, Education Cannot Wait, in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other strategic partners, has announced a grant of US$2.5 million. This financial support will benefit nearly 75,000 children and adolescents in the most affected regions of the Ouest and Artibonite over the next 12 months. This brings their total funding allocated to more than US$15.8 million.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) has allocated US$110 million to strengthen food security, healthcare, and inclusion for vulnerable children and youth. This financial aid will support household food consumption through unconditional cash transfers and provide community-based integrated care focusing on maternal and child health. This intervention comes at a time when the humanitarian community sees multinational financial institutions as key players in humanitarian response and emergency-to-development financing.

Meanwhile, the US announced an additional contribution of US$60 million to support humanitarian response, including gender-based violence protection, food security, cash transfers, and more.

As of 25 July 2024, Fort Royal in the commune of PetitGoave, Ouest department, reported 37 probable cases of anthrax fever. The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), PAHO, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources have conducted joint activities to address the outbreak. From 24 to 30 July 2024, with support from PAHO/WHO, authorities carried out an investigation mission for suspected cases in Fort Royal. They treated all suspected cases, and active surveillance continues. The relevant authorities will conduct additional interventions in the coming days.