PLEASE VIEW THIS DOCUMENT FROM THE LATEST UPDATES IN HAITI FROM OUR PARTNERS AT TTHE HAITI HEALTH NETWORK
Haiti Health Network Meeting Notes: Oct 19, 2022
REGIONAL UPDATES:
Ouest:
Fond Parisien:
It was reported that fuel was previously being purchased from the Dominican and
brought over from the Dominican border This is no longer a viable option as the border
is closed for fuel purchasing. This surgical center is now being forced to ration fuel,
reserving the little they have left to be used for emergency C-Sections and some trauma
cases. No autoclaves are currently being used because of the fuel crisis.
It’s been reported that door to door violence has been happening in some areas of Port
au Prince and is now starting to spread further out into the surrounding areas.
Croix-de-bouquet:
A 400-person compound serving handicapped children reported having no access to
diesel – they are rationing currently.
It was reported that no employees from the facility have suffered any physical harm
coming to work. There have been encounters with gang members where they were
robbed, but so far everyone has been able to arrive safely when they have been able to
come in.
This location is now running their generator for 1 hour each evening. They do divert
power to keep their ICU, children’s home and office online during the day, but the rest of
the compound is without power.
Water is available on campus from a well, water must be pumped using a diesel
powered pump and they do also have a water purifying system on site.
They reported it being almost 2 months since they have had any propane for cooking.
They have been using wood pieces gathered daily to cook and have recently resorted to
cutting down trees to cook. Last week they completely ran out of food, thankfully Food
for the Poor was able to bring in a delivery of food the same day they ran out.
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Reported that they hear gunshot regularly, day and night. 400 Mwaozo were in the area
yesterday and stole 4 motorcycles and fuel.
Leogane:
Reported that they are safe now and have no cases of cholera however the social
political situation continues and is getting worse. The hospital cannot send a driver to
PAP to purchase the supplies needed to provide care. They do continue to serve
patients 24/7 using a combination of solar power and rationing fuel they were able to
purchase several weeks ago.
Sud-Est Update:
It was reported that the Jacmel protests brought a level of violence unheard of in the
area previously. A number of gunshots wound victims were brought in and the last of
the fuel stock at that time was used to treat these patients.
Rice is unavailable now out of Jacmel. Food is very difficult to locate, no one is coming
to the market to sell. Tuesday was market day and there was nothing much to
purchase.
It was reported that banana farmers in the area have their crops rotting because they
cannot travel to PAP to sell their harvest.
Basic services are still available at the healthcare facility. Some fuel was purchased
from the Dominican on the weekend. Surgery is limited to emergency c-sections.
There was a suspected case of cholera in the area – St. Michell is the state hospital and
is essentially closed down. They have no fuel, no doctors able to come in, the
anesthesiologist is from PAP and cannot come.
Thiotte: Internet connection has been cut out and communications have been very
difficult. September actually felt like a normal month in the area. Both Natcom and
Digicel towers have been down due to fuel crisis.
$40 per gallon of fuel in the area for the time being. Hunger is prevalent in the area,
many are suffering.
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Jacmel:
Healthcare facilities reported being open, however it is very expensive for patients to
attend. Food and water are scarce. Last week, during protests, rocks were thrown at the
health center’s gate. Patients were being seen only from 8:00-12:00 to protect them
from the protests, as they were typically beginning in the afternoon.
Sud Update:
One organization reported that their mobile clinics have stopped, they were trying to do
these clinics on motos, but this is no longer an option. Getting medication has been very
difficult, even though flight deliveries. There is no way to get through on the road to PAP
at this time. Most of the hospitals continue to function, but they are all working with very
limited personnel and materials.
C-Sections are extremely difficult at this time. A small water bottle size container of fuel
is selling for $20USD.
It was reported that in the area everyone is just waiting for soldiers to arrive. “There is
no living out here.” There is no water, no food and there is no fuel.
Some people are saying they do not want American, Canadian, or French soldiers.
Russian and China flags have been seen during the protests.
Another clinic reported that they typically only see basic care patients however
emergency care cases have been coming in at a higher level and basic care
appointments are no longer happening. People are only coming out in emergencies.
Meds are starting to run low; they have had to begin distributing based on necessity.
Nord:
It was reported by a facility from Hinche that they have not been experiencing violence
the same way as the rest of the country, however being out in Hinche they are cut off
completely and supplies are extremely difficult to locate.
They had a 6 month stockpile of rice and fuel, but are now at the end of this stock and
do not know how they will replenish their supplies. They are still able to run their mobile
clinics, however they have had to reduce the number they do weekly by 30%.
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Fuel insecurity, water insecurity is rampant in the area.
Supplies are so low it was reported that one facility has no IV tubing or gloves available.
They have resorted to reusing gloves, using bleach to disinfect them.
Ouest: Lafiteau/Titanyen/Simonette area Update:
Gangs invaded the village of Minotrie/Lafito two weeks ago. The area has been taken
over. One facility reported caring for over 60 displaced persons at this time.
A clinic in the area is no longer operating as their campus was taken over by gang
members. It has been reported that gang members are taking over homes in the area,
throwing personal belongings of the homeowners out into the streets and moving into
the homes. There is a large population of internally displaced persons from
Minotrie/Lafito staying in Source Matlas and Simonette currently. Gun fire can be heard
in the neighboring villages around the clock. Food and clean water are scarce. Many
people are suffering.
Nord: Cap Haitian – Limonade Update:
Clinic in the North has been closed most of the last month. Thursday seems to be a
quieter day for protests. Clinic staff have taken advantage of this and been able to
adjust their normal schedule and been opening on Thursday and the weekends.
Fuel Update:
Fuel continues to be almost non-existent on the black market at this point. If you are
able to find fuel it is very expensive.
6000 HTG per gallon in Les Cayes
4500 HTG per gallon in Jérémie
2500 HTG per gallon in Miragoane
3000 to 3500 HTG per gallon in Port au Prince
2 500 HTG per gallon in La Plaine du Cul-de-sac ce matin (Carrefour Shada).
3500 HTG per gallon in Miragoane
CHOLERA UPDATE:
MSPP updated reports are available here: https://www.mspp.gouv.ht/
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Some suspected cases have been reported in other areas. At this point we are working
on collecting data on what preventative/treatment supplies are available in country.
Our preliminary results have shown that facilities are out of even the most basic
supplies like gloves and masks. ORS, Aquatabs, IV fluids and IV kits are almost nonexistence
in the country currently. There are several behind-the-scenes conversations
happening to try to locate items and figure out logistics. Nothing to report currently.