Haitian Children - the country's present and future

With half of Haiti’s population below the age of 18, the development of Haiti will not be possible without a positive transformation in the lives and future of Haiti’s children. A central indicator of successful progress in the Haitian political, economic and social fabric must be measured against the well-being and prospects of Haitian children – in particular those most vulnerable (including girls, children with special needs, orphans, HIV positive, among others).
Even before the earthquake, 76% of the Haitian population lived in poverty, and 56% in extreme poverty. Child mortality rates are intolerably high; children who survive are afflicted by high rates of malnutrition. The great majority of children and their families have no access to clean water; half of Haitian families have no access to healthcare and almost half of children do not attend school.
The massive January 12 earthquake shattered families, killed approximately 230,000 people and has displaced over one million people. Among those affected children are one of the most vulnerable groups – with their survival, protection and development increasingly at risk one month following the earthquake.
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