World Vision scales up plans to set up protection centres for children in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew
International children’s charity World Vision is scaling up efforts to establish safe spaces to help children come to terms with loss in hurricane-ravaged Haiti.
The aid agency, which has distributed relief aid to over 15,000 people since Hurricane Matthew stormed Haiti, is looking to establish close to 30 Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) in the worst affected areas.
Fabiola Brignol, World Vision Haiti's Advocacy Manager said, "Natural disasters, sadly, always cause an increase in cases of child abuse, sexual violence, child labour and child trafficking. We are very concerned that the current situation in Haiti will give rise to such cases as a consequence of the latest disaster. We fear that next big disaster to hit Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew will be a child protection crisis." According to a FAFO report published in 2015, 207,000 Haitian children were trapped in exploitative domestic labour. Almost 1 in 3 had lost a parent and over 10 per cent were orphans. These children are susceptible to beatings, sexual assaults and other abuses. And worryingly it is the areas in the south of Haiti that have the highest rates of child domestic labour. World Vision fears that following the devastation of Hurricane Matthew which destroyed large parts of the south, desperate families unable to support their children will push them into domestic labour.
“As the full extent of the latest disaster (Hurricane Matthew) becomes known, children are not only unable to access basic necessities and medical care, but are also facing massive risks that make them particularly vulnerable. World Vision has begun preliminary work at setting up 27 CFSs in the most affected regions of Haiti. These centers will look to help children recover psychologically; and to protect those who are at risk of being separated from their parents," Brignol explained.
Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti and parts of the Caribbean and the US last week, leaving a trail of destruction behind. In Haiti, the storm claimed more than 1,000 lives, destroying up to 90 percent of infrastructure in some areas.
Haitian authorities estimate that more than 1.3 million people have been displaced by the storm.
World Vision is concentrating its response in the areas of Nippes, Port au Prince and the Island of La Gonave in the southwest of the country, where the storm’s devastation was the greatest.
World Vision Haiti's National Director, John Hasse, said: “So far World Vision has already distributed supplies in some of the worst storm-affected area. This first phase is about meeting people’s immediate needs: getting them water purification tablets and hygiene kits to prevent waterborne disease, providing food; and getting them tarps and blankets to keep them protected from the elements.
“As we continue to meet these immediate needs, we’re also beginning to plan and think about the medium and long term scenario and how we can help. Housing and food will be a big focus. The whole idea is how do we help people restore their basic necessities and being able to do as much of that as possible in a short period of time. Getting them a roof, restoring their access to clean water, and making sure they have access to sanitary conditions in their home so they have a sense of dignity is also very important,” he explained.
For more information, pictures, case studies and interviews, please contact: Henry Makiwa | Media Manager Strategy | World Vision UK | www.worldvision.org.uk Phone: +44 1908244446| Mobile +44 (0)7469 154268 | E-mail: henry.makiwa@worldvision.org.uk | Skype: Soshangana | Twitter: @makiwahenry Or
Carina Wint | Media Specialist | World Vision UK | worldvision.org.uk Mobile: 07471216013 | Twitter: @WintCarina Direct Line: | 0207 821 3461 Skype: carinadwint