U.N. Organization Seeks Assistance to Support Haiti During Hurricane Season

**UNICEF Calls for Urgent Aid as Haiti Braces for Severe Hurricane Season Amid Crisis**

In a pressing appeal on Friday, UNICEF, the United Nations children’s fund, has called for immediate international assistance to prepare Haiti for an anticipated severe Atlantic hurricane season. The Caribbean nation, already grappling with a dire humanitarian crisis due to rampant gang violence, faces an increased threat that could prove catastrophic for its displaced population, now estimated at 360,000 by the U.N.

The hurricane season, spanning from June to November, is predicted to be particularly harsh this year. Bruno Maes, UNICEF’s representative in Haiti, emphasized the dire consequences of such natural disasters on children, stating, “With every cyclone, every tornado, every flood, children will lose their homes, their livelihoods, their lives, and the season has barely started.”

The urgency of the situation is underscored by a recent tornado in late May that rendered approximately 4,350 people homeless in northern Haiti, signaling a potentially devastating cyclone season ahead. In response, UNICEF is ramping up its preparedness efforts by pre-positioning essential supplies such as food, medical provisions, and other necessities to ensure quicker delivery times within the country. However, the distribution of aid is significantly hampered by the control of supply routes by armed groups, posing additional risks to humanitarian workers.

The forecast for an active hurricane season is attributed to a combination of climate change, which is heating ocean temperatures, and the La Nina phenomenon. Colorado State University has projected that the Atlantic could see as many as 23 named storms, including 11 potential hurricanes, making it a potentially record-breaking season.

The situation in Haiti and other small island developing states highlights the broader issue of climate change and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable nations. At a summit last month, leaders from these states urged affluent countries to fulfill their commitments to reduce emissions and assist in mitigating the effects of climate change on heavily indebted island nations.

As the hurricane season commences, the international community’s support for Haiti becomes crucial to averting a humanitarian disaster, ensuring that the nation’s most vulnerable, especially its children, are protected from the impending storms.

(Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)