|
|
Port-au-Prince/Panama/Geneva
February 12 2004
“The intensification of the political crisis in Haiti is taking a heavy
toll on families and communities; children are increasingly affected
by the violence and must be protected,” said Françoise Gruloos-Ackermans,
UNICEF Representative in Haiti.
UNICEF appeals to all parties to protect and respect the lives, rights and
well-being of children, in particular in areas where civil unrest and
violent clashes are taking place. UNICEF also calls upon all parties in the
conflict to take appropriate measures to protect children and young people
from being armed, trained or involved in the conflict, in conformity with
the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Haiti in 1994.
The UN inter-agency emergency mission that traveled to Haiti this week to
assess the looming humanitarian crisis reported that children are facing
serious risks to their health, physical well-being and psychosocial welfare.
The UNICEF component of the mission led by regional experts assessed the
effect of the crisis on children and women and the organization is gearing
up for a full-fledged emergency response.
In addition to its ongoing program of support, UNICEF will provide emergency
relief assistance for children in affected areas, including basic health and
education kits. UNICEF is working with humanitarian partners and
non-governmental organizations to intensify information and advocacy for
child rights to ensure observance of international humanitarian law
provisions on the rights of civilian populations in conflict.
UNICEF is particularly alarmed about the fate of some 1.2 million children
already identified as being especially vulnerable. As the violence in Haiti
increases, it is becoming more difficult for children to attend school,
receive medical attention, find food and shelter. Children, especially
girls, living or working in the streets of urban centers are especially at
risk. School attendance has dropped dramatically in most areas due to unsafe
roads, lack of security in schools and disruption of public transportation.
|
|
