The Government of Haiti and the Humanitarian Country Team (formed by the United Nations and humcanitarian partners) are today launching an appeal for funds of $291.5 million dollars to cover the critical humanitarian needs of 2.4 million people through the Humanitarian Response Plan 2017-2018 (phase 2017). The plain aims to save lives while strengthening the resilience of the population and national institutions to crises and natural disasters while paving the way towards sustainable development. Therefore, the appeal is complementary to other instruments of recovery and development.

This plan comes in response to a year (2016) that has been marked by multiple humanitarian challenges for the country such as Hurricane Matthew, the persistency of cholera, the deterioration of food insecurity due to the drought exacerbated by The El Niño phenomenon during the two previous years, and the binational migration issue, which resulted in the return of more than 168,800 people (including at least 36,799 deported and 28,608 who reported being deported) from the Dominican Republic between June 17, 2015 and January 26, 2017. The country's increased vulnerability to natural disasters, as well as the presence of approximately 46,691 people in 31 camps from the 2010 earthquake also add to the humanitarian context. The plan aims to ensure the protection and promote the achievement of durable solutions for the affected people.

The humanitarian response guided by national authorities after Hurricane Matthew proved to be effective in saving lives and assisting more than 800,000 people, the most in need among the 2.4 million people affected. However, more than 1.4 million people still need life-saving assistance, protection and durable solutions, which remain a priority for the Government of Haiti and its partners. With regard to cholera, rapid response is still essential to control the epidemic, to continue to save lives and to complement long-term efforts that address the root causes of the disease: lack of access to drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and health care.

Although the priority is given to the most essential humanitarian needs, this plan also envisages the implementation of rapid recovery measures in order to avoid the deterioration of the vulnerability of populations in need, which is essential for Progress towards the Sustainable Development Objectives (SDOs) by 2030, signed by 193 countries, including Haiti. "Structural problems associated with multiple emergencies continue to increase the vulnerability of millions of Haitians. We must act together to enable these people to recover and to build the future they want for themselves, their children and their grandchildren. The UN and humanitarian partners will continue to support the Haitian people along this path, "said El-Mostafa Benlamlih, Humanitarian Coordinator, Resident Coordinator and Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Haiti. https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20003-icihaiti-politics-un-appoints-a-man-of-experience-in-haiti.html

The funding request addresses the following priority needs identified by the Government of Haiti in collaboration with United Nations entities and NGOs :

• Food security (USD 92.9 million);

• Nutrition (USD 6.7 million);

• Health ($ 25.7 million);

• Emergency shelter and essential non-food items (US $ 37.6 million);

• Access to water, sanitation and hygiene -WASH (USD 14.7 million);

• Protection of the most vulnerable ($ 13.6 million);

• Education (USD 16.8 million);

• Cholera (US $ 34.7 million);

• Rapid recovery ($ 25.7 million);

• Camp coordination and camp management ($ 14.9 million);

• Other sectors ($ 4.3 million).

In this sense, the humanitarian community calls Haiti’s partners to strengthen their commitment with the country. "We call on Haiti's partners to be even more committed to the country. This will strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities and maintain the gains made in recent years, but it will also allow for a sustainable exit from humanitarian challenges while continuing the country's sustainable development process," concluded Benlamlih.

HL/ HaitiLibre