The Government of the United States, through the United Nations Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided over $2.6 million (2,676,900) to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to help support survival of children and their families in Haiti through the prevention and reduction of the transmission of Covid-19.

With this funding, UNICEF will install several hand washing stations in southern Haiti in public spaces and vulnerable communities to fight the spread of Covid-19.

US Ambassador to Haiti Michele Sison said "We want to make sure Haitian families, especially vulnerable children and mothers, have the information, support and resources they need to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Our partnership with UNICEF and the Haitian Government will raise awareness about preventing the spread of Covid-19, train health care providers, support care and provide essential supplies needed to fight this epidemic."

This funding will support the development of communication materials and a national media awareness campaign to encourage frequent hand washing. The campaign will include social media, community mobilization and the fight against disinformation.

To support care, UNICEF will also train at least 2,600 community health workers on Covid-19, provide them with equipment and personal protective equipment, strengthen community surveillance and strengthen disease control and investigations. case. They will help improve the care of infected patients at 15 referral health care facilities through infection prevention and control training and improved water and sanitation services, including hand washing stations, soap, disinfectants and waste management.

To support children affected by Covid-19 or at risk, UNICEF will ensure that 1,000 children and women vulnerable to violence due to increased stress and home confinement are protected and have access to psychosocial support. This allocation will also help UNICEF, the Haitian Government and its partners to distribute essential handwashing items, provide protection services to women and children, reduce the risks of Covid-19 and limit its negative effects among the most vulnerable.

HL/ HaitiLibre