Haiti’s already fragile health system is on the brink of collapse due to continued violence of the gangs in the Haitian capital, warned this Wednesday United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to UNICEF, six out of ten hospitals in Haiti are barely operational and the recent escalation of violence in Port-au-Prince continues. depriving children of essential health services and medicines.
All The country’s hospitals report difficulties in acquiring and maintaining critical health supplies, while the recently restored domestic and international cargo flights to and from Port-au-Prince have limited capacity and operate with many delays. The same goes for the main seaport, which was previously in the hands of armed groups.
The strangulation of supply chains would bury the health system
The UNICEF representative in Haiti explained that the combination of violence, mass displacement, dangerous epidemics and increasing malnutrition has brought Haiti’s health system to its knees.
“But Choking supply chains could be what breaks it”said Bruno Maes.
In the midst of the climate of insecurity that reaches the entire Caribbean country, containers with vital supplies were arrested or lootedlike many stores and pharmacies.
Meanwhile, hundreds of containers loaded with Humanitarian supplies are trapped in Port-au-Princeincluding some from UNICEF who carry medical, maternal and neonatal supplies.
“We cannot allow this vital assistance that could save the lives of many children to remain trapped in warehouses and containers. You have to deliver it now”Maes stressed.
The admission of malnourished children has tripled at the Justinien University Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti.
Disease Spread
The city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s main logistics center, normally receives and sends batches of health product imports to the country, but today it is paralyzed by violence, with more than 160,000 residents displaced and cannot meet the needs of a population struggling with both physical trauma and the risk of disease.
Waves of displaced families seeking safety, particularly in the south of the country, are exerting a additional pressure on local health serviceswhich could barely cope with demand before the latest escalation of the crisis.
The staff shortage is widespread: Around 40% of healthcare workers have left the country due to extreme levels of insecurity.
UNICEF warned of the great danger of the spread of diseases. Between October 2022 and April 2024, Haiti reported a total of 82,000 suspected cases of cholera and warned that with the arrival of the rainy season the situation would worsen, increasing cases of diseases transmitted by water and mosquitoes, such as malaria.
Furthermore, approximately 4.4 million people in Haiti urgently need food assistance and 1.6 million people face emergency levels of acute food insecurity, raising the risk of wasting and malnutrition among children.
Alternative routes
To address the situation, UNICEF and its partners are testing alternatives to the capital’s import and shipping centers.
Thus, through secondary import and delivery routesin collaboration with the Ministry of Health, donors and international partners, the organization has been able to continue carrying vaccines, medications and medical equipment to the children of Haiti who need it most.
On 18, 20 and 21 May 2024, UNICEF facilitated the delivery of 38 tonnes of vital supplies, including health and cholera kits, and other essential medical products to Haiti via an airlift supported by the European Union and operated from Panama by World Food Program (PMA).
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