Look Who it Was Random video

Haiti Earthquake: Concern over the situation of children in Port-au-Prince

3,337 views · Published 17 January 2010 · 2:10 · Indexed 28 October 2026

Channel: United Nations · 2010 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

United Nations, New York, 16 January 2010:  In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that rocked Haitis impoverished capital of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, UNICEF officials expressed concern over the situation of children who may be orphaned, homeless and exposed to illness and abuse. 

With the citys infrastructure destroyed, reaching out to those children has become a huge challenge to UNICEF. 

SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Bissell, UNICEF Chief of Child Protection: 
So much of the infrastructure that we would have had at our finger tips and holding hands with us and us in support of them are not there.  Thats kind of disconcerting.  Its not worrying because I think UNICEF will find a way as we always do in these circumstances to get around it and to do whats best in terms of protecting children. 

Another plane loaded with UNICEF emergency relief supplies arrived in Port-au-Prince this morning, carrying urgently needed water and sanitation supplies. This is the second load of UNICEF water and sanitation materials to arrive in Haiti in the past 24 hours. The shipment contained additional oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets and jerry cans. Two experts in water and sanitation were also on the flight.   

But food and water will not be enough for these children. 

SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Bissell, UNICEF Chief of Child Protection: 
Were also very, very concerned about the shelter situation for children who may be, um, find themselves abandoned and on the street without homes.  The basic needs of all children are of great concern to us.  Were also concerned about the psycho-social situation of children.  How are children coping with the trauma, both of their own potential loss or injury and what has happened to their family and their country, and to every bit of security that they know.  Its a frightening situation in a way in Haiti right now where we have so little information from the ground. 

Providing access to clean water and sanitation is essential in the immediate aftermath of disasters, to avoid a second wave of deaths caused by diarrheal diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Children are particularly susceptible to diarrheal diseases. 

SOUNDBITE (English) Robin Nandy, UNICEF Senior Emergency Health Advisor: 
The lack of water, the lack of sanitation or the breakdown of sanitation services—theres a huge risk of communicable diseases such as diarrhea and measles.  And this could cause a large amount of illness as well as deaths among women and children in particular. 

Two more UNICEF planeloads, loaded with some 70 metric tons of tents, tarpaulin, and medicines, are currently awaiting clearance to fly to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 

UNICEF efforts to assist with life-saving and recovery operations in Haiti will focus on providing clean water and sanitation, therapeutic food for infants and small children, medical supplies and temporary shelter and protection. Children make up some 50 per cent of the Haitian population.

Source: UNIFEED, MINUSTAH

More from this channel