Panel 3: Forgotten Crisis: Tackling Humanitarian Challenges in Haiti

Amidst the lingering aftermath of a severe earthquake, political strife, and gang violence, an estimated 4.4 million people have humanitarian needs – a number that has doubled since 2016. UNOCHA has determined that $373.2 million is required to fund aid initiatives – yet only 11 percent has been committed. Haiti has long standing challenges, and as a result the urgency of today’s crisis doesn’t capture the same level of attention. Stakeholders must contend with ways to attract funding and resources to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people.

This panel would examine the latest humanitarian issues in Haiti, assess the USG and donor communities' response, and consider new approaches to the long-standing humanitarian challenges. The panel would explore the longstanding weaknesses in governance and the impact it has on responding to the concurrent challenges of rampant gang violence and weather disasters. The panel would also look at the challenges of securing humanitarian access which necessitates engagement with violent criminal gangs and explore what lessons can be learned from negotiations with NSAG’s in other conflict contexts.