UNICEF warns children risk death in Haiti

UNICEF has said countless children may die in Haiti due to the lack of health care and nutrition following weeks of gang attacks.

The director of the UN children’s agency, Catherine Russell, said severe malnutrition posed an imminent threat to the lives of more than 125,000 children in the country.

In a press release she said “the violence and instability in Haiti have consequences far beyond the risk of the violence itself.

“The situation is creating a child health and nutrition crisis that could cost the lives of countless children”.

Nearly 5 million people have been forced into high levels of food insecurity following a surge in gang related violence, according to a report published by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

Haiti has been rocked by violence since last month after gangs launched a coordinated offensive, raiding a prison and releasing thousands of inmates as they demanded Prime Minister Ariel Henry resign.

“Thousands of children are on the brink, while life saving supplies are ready to be delivered if violence stops and roads and hospitals are open,” Ms Russell said.

She added that Haitians urgently needed basic security to allow for the functioning of these services and for humanitarian workers to be able to reach children and families.

The agency has called for law and order to be restored to the streets of Haiti so that schools, hospitals and humanitarian services can open and operate safely.