The earthquake in Haiti on January 12th brought devastation to the capital, Port-au-Prince, that would be difficult to comprehend had its images not been flashed across the world. But the full scale of the problems now facing the country are not simply the result of this natural disaster. They are the consequence of 200 years of poverty, violence and environmental degradation.

When the earthquake hit, Haiti was already a barely functioning state. Years of conflict, corruption and brutal dictatorship had produced a semi-lawless nation, without a functioning infrastructure and with a population living in relentless and crippling poverty. It is the poorest, least developed country in the western hemisphere, with a human development index just above that of Sudan. Its once lush hills have been stripped bare through deforestation and the environmental damage has led to an exodus of the rural population to the slums of the Cite de Soleil - a no-go area ruled by armed gangs of young men.

Barely able to cope under normal circumstances, it was inevitable that this disaster would leave Haiti paralysed, its population stripped of its very last possessions.

With the emergency relief phase of this crisis transitioning to long term needs, aid agencies with experience implementing critical and sustainable child-centred programs are more necessary than ever before in Haiti’s history.

Haitian children, with few resources to protect themselves and often without family members to care for them, are highly vulnerable to abuse, including abduction, rape and sexual exploitation. The displacement and lack of clear, structured activity in Haiti has left many children and youth vulnerable to engaging in dangerous activities such as drug-use and crime. Children and youth are in need of spaces where they can feel safe and can access a range of structured activities to reduce these risks.

War Child is improving the physical security and protection of children and youth by establishing four safe and secure child-friendly spaces and will host structured education, emotional health and well-being activities for children and young people.

War Child’s experience in Sudan has demonstrated that by increasing access to safe spaces where children and youth can feel comfortable and safe, they are less likely to engage in criminal or exploitative behaviour. War Child is therefore establishing a mobile bus outreach service which will service isolated areas, in order to provide access to safe spaces, training and education opportunities to children and young people who are most vulnerable.

Prior to the earthquake, Amnesty International reported “shocking levels” of sexual violence against Haitian girls. Overcrowded camps for those displaced following the earthquake have created new vulnerabilities for girls and women, resulting in increased reports of rape and sexual violence. Therefore, direct access to legal services will be provided for those children and young people who have suffered abuse, enabling them to seek access to justice.

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