Haiti’s children one year later: A country at a crossroads

The devastating January 2001 earthquake — a 7-magnitude shock that left more than 200,000 people dead and 3 million people in desperate need — has exacted a heavy toll on Haiti’s children. Nearly one year later, the children of Haiti are still very much at risk — of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Tomas, which flooded Port-au-Prince and other areas in November 2010; and epidemic disease, most recently the outbreak of cholera that quickly spread through all 10 of Haiti’s geographic departments since late October. A country that continues to reel from destruction and loss is a very dangerous place for children. With 500,000 children living in camps and many others living in slums, all lacking the protection of social and police services, children are under continued threat of exploitation and abuse. Save the Children remains committed to working with the Haitian government and other partners to build a new Haiti.This transformation requires years of investment, support and commitment — from the Haitian government, donors, nongovernmental organizations like Save the Children and most importantly, the people of Haiti.