PORT – AU-PRICE, Haiti – Thousands of children and their families may be pushed into poverty in Haiti, compounding the chaos due to gang violence and a collapsing health system, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday.
The National Emergency Operations Center has announced a “hyperactive” cyclone season, with 23 phenomena, 11 of which could develop into hurricanes, predicted between June and the end of November.
The first tornado of the season already hit Bassin Bleu, in the country’s northwest, on 21 May, signaling the beginning of some potentially devastating months ahead.
According to the Haitian authorities, 112 people, including 29 children, were injured in the disaster. Approximately 4,350 people, including 650 children, lost their homes.
“With every cyclone, every tornado, every flood, children will lose their homes, their livelihoods, their lives, and the season has barely started” said Bruno Maes, UNICEF Representative in Haiti.
“We support children after every disaster, but support from the international community is essential for us to enhance our preparedness and response capabilities for the worst-case scenarios.”
UNICEF and partners are supporting affected families in Bassin Bleu to recover. The agency and the national partners are distributing cash assistance to the 300 most vulnerable affected families.