Unicef Child Protection Specialist in Haiti

LONDON, January 18 - On 17 January, an unaccompanied child with a broken pelvis lies on a
hospital bed in a room full of other patients who were wounded during the
earthquake, in a field hospital set up near the main airport in
Port-au-Prince, the capital. Beside her, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist
Nadine Perrault confers with hospital staff, most of who have been provided
by the American University of Miami. Ms. Perrault wears a T-shirt and cap
that bear the UNICEF logo.

By 17 January 2010 in Haiti, humanitarian assistance continues to focus
on search and rescue operations and the provision of medical services,
shelter, food and water to victims of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit
the country on 12 January. Authorities estimate that as many as 200,000
people have died (50,000 bodies have been collected to-date) and an estimated
3 million have been severely affected by the disaster. The quake's epicentre
was only 17 kilometres from Port-au-Prince, the capital; nearby cities of
Carrefour and Jacmel were also hit. Major government and private
infrastructure have been destroyed or heavily damaged, including hospitals,
water, sanitation and electrical systems, and telecommunications, banks and
transportation networks. United Nations and UNICEF buildings and residences
were also hit, and UN staff and peacekeepers with the UN Stabilization
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) are missing. MINUSTAH, totaling 7,000
peacekeepers and 2,000 police, have relocated their logistics base close to
the airport to help coordinate incoming international relief assistance.

The UN Consolidated Flash Appeal for the Haiti earthquake emergency
requests US $575 million for relief and recovery for the next six months.
UNICEF's portion of the appeal is US $127.9 million - UNICEF is also the lead
coordinating agency for education, child protection, nutrition and WASH
(water, sanitation and hygiene). Working with the government, other UN
agencies, international and local NGOs and private partners, UNICEF has
distributed safe water supplies and equipment, rehydration salts, and medical
and shelter materials, with more on the way. This latest catastrophe
exacerbates Haiti's already critical humanitarian situation. An estimated 46
per cent of its 10 million inhabitants are under age 18, and more than 78 per
cent of the population lives on less than US $2.00 a day.

Note to Editors:

Pictures accompanying this release are available through the PA
Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net
or viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

For more information please contact Maeve McClenaghan,
maevem@unicef.org.uk, +44(0)207-375-6091

For more information please contact Maeve McClenaghan, maevem at unicef.org.uk, +44(0)207-375-6091