Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 26 April 2024 – Haiti

KEY FIGURES

3M children in need of humanitarian or protection assistance in Haiti

169K people affected by flooding in Ecuador since 29 January

722 people displaced due to clashes in rural areas of Cauca, Colombia

HAITI: CHILDREN

As the humanitarian and security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, there is increasing concern for the safety and well-being of children. In the Port-au-Prince area alone, some 1.2 million children are under threat, while at least 182,000 children are internally displaced across the country. Violence continues to impact the operations of schools and health facilities, depriving populations of access to basic services. Despite limited funding and access constraints, the education cluster has reached 4,095 crisis-affected children (1,171 girls and 2,924 boys) with education services and learning support since January. Throughout March, UNICEF and partners set up 10 childfriendly spaces in sites for internally displaced people, providing 1,817 children (929 girls and 888 boys) with mental health and psychosocial support. With 3 million children estimated to need humanitarian and protection assistance in 2024, UNICEF requires urgent funding of $221.7 million.

COLOMBIA: VIOLENCE & DISPLACEMENT

At least 387 families (722 people) from rural areas of Argelia, in the Cauca department, were displaced on 17 April due to ongoing clashes between the National Army and a non-state armed group (NSAG). Some families returned to their homes without security guarantees, exposing them to further risks. In the municipalities of López de Micay, Guapi, and Timbiquí, 82,087 people have been affected by mobility restrictions, food security risks and protection concerns, with NSAGs installing explosive devices and enforcing codes of conduct. There is widespread fear among indigenous populations and Afro-Colombians to report victimizing events, contributing to underreporting and invisibility of critical humanitarian issues on the Pacific Coast of Cauca.

REGIONAL: MIGRATION

On 22 April, 19 irregular migrants, including Haitians, Romanians and two minors from Ecuador and Honduras, were detained in the British Virgin Islands. This is the latest in a string of interceptions in recent months, particularly of Haitian migrants, signalling a further growing trend of migration across the region. Meanwhile, concern is mounting over the dangers faced by migrants along Central American and Mexican routes. A recent IOM study identifies parts of Panama and Mexico, including the Darien province and the Mexican states of Baja California, Chiapas, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, as the most dangerous areas for migrants in transit. According to MSF, there have been more cases of sexual violence against migrants reported so far in 2024 than in all of 2023. Additionally, in a survey carried out by OHCHR and the Ombudsman of Panama, published on 23 April, 1 in 5 women experienced sexual violence and 17 of the 117 women surveyed were asked for sexual favours in exchange for their safety or other forms of assistance. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced protection measures and comprehensive support services for vulnerable migrants navigating these perilous routes.

ECUADOR: FLOODING

Since 20 April, heavy rainfall in Alausí Canton in the Chimborazo province has brought floods, affecting at least 200 people and destroying or damaging 18 houses. Additionally, four bridges were destroyed, one school was damaged, and 10 hectares of crops were affected. More rain is forecasted for 26-27 April. Since 29 January, 169,043 people have been affected by heavy rainfall across the country, with 275 homes destroyed and 130 people housed in shelters. The intense weather comes as other parts of the country face prolonged drought and subsequent energy shortages. Heavy rainfall on 24 April exacerbated challenges by damaging electrical grids in cities like Quito and Cuenca.