Thousands of children need assistance three months after Caribbean hurricanes – UNICEF

A young boy and his brother sit on a sofa outside their home, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma in Grand Turks, Turks and Caicos Islands. Photo: UNICEF/Moreno Gonzalez

Three months after two category-5 hurricanes tore through the Caribbean, thousands of children across the region still need support, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday.

“Even before the hurricanes hit, UNICEF was on the ground, working with Governments and local partners to prepare communities and preposition humanitarian supplies for the areas at highest risk,” said Maria Cristina Perceval, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“These included life-saving supplies that were most needed during the immediate response when access to clean water, shelter and basic social services were scarce,” she added.

Irma, the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, caused extensive damage to the islands of the Eastern Caribbean, Haiti and Cuba.

Hurricane Maria then wrought additional damage across the region, with UNICEF estimating that together, they left 350,000 children in need of humanitarian assistance.

“Three months on, UNICEF is still on the ground in these countries and territories, working on programmes to support children and families in rebuilding their lives and returning to a sense of normalcy,” Perceval said.

However, challenges remain, with many of the most vulnerable families still feeling the effects of the storms.

Over 35 percent of Dominica’s children – particularly those in shelters – are still not enrolled in education activities, while in Antigua and Barbuda many families remain in shelters, unable to return home.

Working in collaboration with governments and non-governmental organizations, UNICEF has been providing immediate humanitarian relief and working to ensure longer-term recovery and resilience.

“While life is returning to normal for many, children and families who have lived through these storms will need committed, sustained support to get their homes, communities and lives back on track,” maintained Ms. Perceval.

UNICEF and its partners are supporting communities through programmes focused on recovery and resilience in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica and Haiti.

 

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3 Comments

  1. CONCERN CITIZEN
    December 17, 2017

    “Parrot” how much money have you donated? We all have to come together and help our country and stop bashing the PM.

  2. Wayne Shaw
    December 15, 2017

    Fund raising is being done and has been since the destructive hurricane three months ago. The issue is that it seems not to be getting through to the people who really need it. Every day there are pledges for millions of pounds from organisations and countries and yet we read stories like this every day. My granddaughter Hope who is 10 has personally raised funds for the children of St Joseph but as yet not one person I have written to seems interested in what she has achieved for the children. The school, St Joseph catholic church, the Prime Ministers office and relief organisations have all failed to reply to me so we can present aid to the children. This is why progress is slow or non existent. However, those at the top bask in the glory of receiving promises from across the world!

  3. Parrot
    December 14, 2017

    Such stories need to be brought to the desk of PM
    All the funding that has been granted to Dominica should be time to fix these ills

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