1. Situation at Hospitals in Port au Prince and countryside

The following hospitals and Health Centers have been contacted over the last two days and reported to operate at least partially:

Port au Prince: University Hospital. The Emergency Room was activated and a new generator was installed in the morgue.
South East: Hospital St. Michel –Jacmel-, Centre de Santé –Bainet- and Centre de Santé –Thiotte-
North East: Hospitals in Fort Liberté and Ouanaminthe, Troudunord and Monttorganisé.
South: Hopital Immaculee Conception des Cayes, Hopital d’Aquin, Hopital communautaire de Reference de Port salut, Hopital Saint Boniface de Fond des Blancs, Hopital Sun Light Mission de la colline d’Aquin.
Grand Anse: Hopital Saint Antoine de Jeremie, Centre de santé de Corail, Hopital City Med Beaumont, Hopital des Irois.
Artibonite: St. Marc, Gonaives Hospital

2. Current situation estimated informally by the Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP)

70 % of Central directions are functional at the MSPP, 50% of Departmental Directions are also functional.

3. PAHO/WHO

PAHO/WHO initiated an epidemiological surveillance. List of sentinel sites identified can be seen on website: www.paho.org/disasters. Situation on Haiti. (See attachment).

4. Donations

1,5 million dollars were given by the French Government to the World Food Program (WFP) for logistics and food distribution to the victims of civil crisis. Target population: 140,000 people (Source: Press Release).

1. PAHO/WHO Actions

In coordination with the team of Cuban doctors and ICRC among other organizations, the emergency room of the University Hospital is functioning. A generator has been installed at the morgue, where technical assistance is being provided to deal with 800 cadavers. PAHO/WHO obtained support from French cooperation to increase security in Hospitals in Port au Prince.

In negotiations with a private morgue, mechanisms have been sought so that families can claim their family members from morgue free of charge (fee-waiver) at Canape Vert Hospital.

In coordination with NGO’s and MSF Holland a quick epidemiological survey was launched today.

Medical supplies, vaccines, a truck and an electric generator reached Port au Prince through Dominican Republic in coordination with Argentinian logistic support.

In the Metropolitan area, propane gas bottles were distributed. A total of 1870 gallons of diesel and 400 gal gasoline was delivered to 11 health institutions (University Hospital, Hopital Communauté Haitienne (Delmas), City-Med Petion Ville and Delmas, Hopital St. Spirit, SODEC, Red Cross Transfusion Center, Red Cross Ambulance Service, Public Hygiene direction (MSPP), CHOSCAL, CAMEP (Metropolitan Water Supply).

2. General information

NIPPES situation: OXFAM reports that schools, banks and stores are closed. Several private houses and public buildings were destroyed or affected. Police stations are empty and the security problems have increased. There has been an increase of food prices in the market places. Public transportation is working.

1. Overview

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Jan Egeland, delivered a briefing on Haiti to the Security Council on March, 5. A new Flash Appeal for Haiti will be launched both in New York and in Haiti, March 9th.

An integrated multi-disciplinary assessment mission will be deployed in Haiti to obtain the necessary information on the ground for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1529. This team will be led by UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and would draw on participation from different UN agencies and departments, including WHO/PAHO. The mission will be dispatched for a period of two weeks, starting, March, 12th.

2. Health Sector - Latest information

Cold Chain and vaccines: there are still problems in the distribution of vaccines in Artibonite. PAHO/WHO and ICRC are working together in the provision of vaccines to the North Departments. Sunday, 7 March vaccines were distributed in Cap Haitien.

PAHO/WHO is also working in coordination with Centrale Metropolitaine d’Eau Potable (CAMEP) and the Service National d’Eau Potable (SNEP) in dealing with water supply. Regarding fuel, conversations are taking place with the Association Nationale des Distributeurs de Produits Petroliers (ANADIP).

Latest Hospital Data on violence - Port au Prince-: between 27 February and 5 March, 36 injured by firearm, 8 stabbings and 5 deaths. On 5 March, 30 injured by firearm, 4 deaths.

The reestablishment of services in hospitals and Health centers continues to be the main priority. The emergency room of the University Hospital began its limited function, but the situation is critical and will need the full participation of all health partners. There is no current capacity to assist patients neither with injuries nor with diseases.

1. Overview

UNSECOORD reported that conditions are returning to a more normal condition. Looting and violence lessened, several banks and shops have reopened. Commercial flights have resumed.

Last Thursday, there were reports of killings in the southern city of Petit Goave and in the capital’s western suburbs. Police and hospital officials estimate the death toll from the weeks-long strife at more than 120 people.

CARICOM heads of Government met on 2 and 3 march in Kingston, Jamaica in an emergency session to consider the situation in Haiti. They agreed to participate in the “follow on UN stabilization force, in efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, the rebuilding of the economy and civil society….”

Group of Friends of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States on Haiti –United States, France, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Venezuela- restated the need to urgently assist Haiti.

2. Health Sector - Latest information

Still there are many hospitals which are not functioning due to lack of electricity and salaries not being paid. PAHO/WHO is working with Red Cross and other organizations in the University Hospital in Port au Prince. The Emergency Room has been activated, fuel was provided as well as technical assistance on dealing with 800 cadavers (approx. 200 as a consequence of the last week strife).

PAHO/WHO’s 7 shipments with medical supplies and equipment arrived in Port au Prince and are already stored in PROMESS. More than 14.200 medical supplies and 200 pieces of equipment.

In coordination with Cuban doctors, PAHO/WHO is working on the reactivation of hospitals.

A network has been established with Latin American countries which want to assist Haiti. Argentina has sent SUMA trained personnel and offered space in its humanitarian plane.

PAHO/WHO is working in coordination with Propane Gas supplier Company to facilitate the distribution of propane gas. In the Metropolitan area, propane gas bottles were distributed on 4 March.

A simplified epidemiological surveillance is being initiated in health institutions which are already functioning.

PAHO/WHO – UNICEF delivered measles vaccine supplies in Gonaives.

Vaccines and medical supplies were also delivered by plane to Fort Liberte in coordination with CDS Nord Est and to Les Cayes in coordination with CRS.

Health Sector - Latest information

The security situation in Haiti is still a concern and seriously limits movement by road. PAHO/WHO, in coordination with UNICEF, is planning to assess the situation in the nine Haitian departments for a three-day period starting 10 March. The aim is to assess health needs, the cold chain and vaccine stocks.

Medical supplies were distributed to the Hospital St. Catherine through Medicins du Monde-Canada and PROMESS. PAHO/WHO continues to work with ICRC, Cuban doctors and OFDA/USAID to distribute health kits to priority hospitals.

In the southeastern departments, the only functioning hospitals are St. Michel in Jacmel and those in Bainet and Thiotte. Fuel is a major concern.

PAHO/WHO also continues to work with NGOs and civil society representatives to disseminate messages to promote respect for health institutions.

1. Health Sector - Latest information

Unofficial report of 10 deaths linked to violence in Port-au-Prince on 1 March, making a total of at least 90 deaths in Haiti since the beginning of the crisis. An estimated 60 people were injured during disturbances over the last two days in Port-au-Prince.

No medical supplies have been lost except for a small warehouse in the harbor. PAHO/WHO is supporting ten priority hospitals in Haiti and is working in coordination with OFDA/USAID. Missions to Cap Haitian, Pignon and Guaname are scheduled for Wednesday, 3 March.

News bulletins on local radio stations are being issued to advise which hospitals are operating. PAHO/WHO is also working on the purchase and distribution of medicines requested by PROMESS¹ and in coordination with UNICEF regarding maternal and child health.

2. Dominican Republic

PAHO/WHO has prepared a Contingency Plan for Dajabon, Montecristi, Independencia and along the country’s western border.

3. Jamaica

One hundred and three Haitians, including 23 children, arrived in Jamaica fleeing the country’s political upheavals.

PAHO/WHO continues to work with UNICEF and NGOs as well as government officials. Refugees are registered and screened on arrival by Ministry of Health personnel. Screening included malaria, polio and steps taken to screen HIV/AIDS. Immunization for diphtheria and tetanus has been initiated, while supplies of vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and polio are being sourced.

¹ PROMESS is the Central Procurement Agency for drugs and medical supplies managed by PAHO, founded in 1992 during the humanitarian Crisis. PROMESS provides drugs at low cost to public health institutions, NGOs and non profit organizations. PROMESS also stores and distributes drugs (vaccines, contraceptives, TB drugs) related to main Priority Health Programs which are subsidized by donor agencies.

1. General overview

Aristide resigns on 29 February and Supreme Court Chief, Alexandre Boniface assumes interim power. The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1529 which authorizes the immediate deployment of multinational force to Haiti for three months. The Security Council declares “its readiness to establish a follow on United Nations stabilization force to support continuation of a peaceful and constitutional political process and the maintenance of a secure and stable environment…”

2. Essential medicines

PROMESS¹ is providing some health supplies but it is not fully operational.

Most hospitals and health centers in Haiti ceased full operations over the weekend. The situation worsened due to lack of electricity and water, triggered by fuel shortages.

Essential medicines and vaccines are being distributed on a limited basis. For example, pickups taking medical supplies to St. Marc and Gonaives reached their destination. Activity is expected to increase in the following days. PAHO/WHO is working in coordination with MSF, ICRC, OFDA and UNICEF.

3. Dominican Republic

Three border points have been identified in the Dominican Republic: Jimani, Pedernales and Dajabon. PAHO/WHO is in close contact with the Red Cross, the Emergency Operations Center and IOM, as well as the Secretary of Public Health and Social Assistance of the Dominican Republic. No incidents have been reported in Jimani or Dajabon.

4. Jamaica

In Jamaica, PAHO/WHO is working closely with NGOs, U.N. agencies such as UNHCR, UNDP and UNICEF and government authorities to plan for a potential influx of refugees.

5. Health Sector – General

The affected population is estimated at over 1.3 million. The main areas affected: Port-au-Prince, Gonaives, Cap Haitien, Saint Marc and Hinche.

Estimated Deaths linked to violence: 70 (press reports)

Reported displaced population: Jamaica, approximately 58

Reports of violence in hospitals has led to a further reduction of access to care [particularly emergency care] for the poorest (some private hospitals are sill functioning). There have been reports of unattended obstetrical emergencies.

There are growing difficulties to provide health care centers with necessary supplies.

Difficult to access certain areas for priority health activities such as vaccination: the risk exists for a resurgence of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

National tuberculosis and AIDS programs report interruption in treatment.

Some blood transfusion centers had to stop activities.

Mass media focused on the political crisis and health promotion and prevention messages are becoming much less apparent.

There is deterioration in the potable water distribution system, particularly in the cities most affected by violence--Gonaïves and Cap Haitien--where the electric pumping system was deactivated by a lack of electricity for several weeks.

¹ PROMESS is the Central Procurement Agency for drugs and medical supplies managed by PAHO, founded in 1992 during the humanitarian Crisis. PROMESS provides drugs at low cost to public health institutions, NGOs and non profit organizations. PROMESS also stores and distributes drugs (vaccines, contraceptives, TB drugs) related to main Priority Health Programs which are subsidized by donor agencies.

General Overview

The situation in Haiti tends to worsen every day. The Northern districts continue to be cut from the rest of the country. These roads pass through two cities, Gonaïves (West) and Hinche (Plateau Central), which are under insurgent control. The north can only be reached by boat or plane. Bahamas has banned trips to Haiti.

The United Nations designated Official for Security in Haiti, in consultation with the Security Management Team, has declared PHASE IV of the Security Plan for the city of Gonaives, PHASE III for Port au Prince an all the areas north in the capital and PHASE II for the rest of the country. Arrangements are being made for the relocation of United Nations non-essential staff and dependants to safe haven in Dominican Republic.

On February 23 the US Government sent 50 combat-ready Marines to Haiti to protect the US Embassy and its staff.

Priority Areas

1. Strengthening of PAHO´s operational capacity to ensure that essential services and drugs continue to be provided to the most vulnerable segments of population. The protection of the neutrality of the health services, security of the health facilities and of health workers as well as of convoys is essential. Provision of fuel and gas propane is one of the major concerns.

2. Supporting PROMESS is also essential in order to ensure effective delivery of medical supplies to the most vulnerable groups.

Actions Carried Out by PAHO/WHO

1. PAHO/WHO continues to work in coordination with UN agencies and NGOs. The crisis team has been activated in Haiti and an Emergency Operation Center--in close contact with the executive management--has been activated on the 10th floor at PAHO’s HQ. An e-mail address is open: HAITI@paho.org. All the information received is being processed in order to support the PWR in Haiti. Daily meetings are taking place in order to coordinate action among staff members and with PWRs in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

2. Security training of health care providers and delivery of essential medicines have been organized in close collaboration with ICRC.

3. The Crisis team is also working with the Haitian Health Ministry to seek a guarantee for the protection of the neutrality of the health services, security of the health facilities and of health workers as well as of convoys. A rapid assessment Inter-Agency mission to the North has been organized, including a dozen of UN staff members from eight UN agencies (FAO, WHO/PAHO, UNAIDS, WFP, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF) and OCHA . They flew to Cap-Haïtien and Port-de-Paix on Friday, 20th..

4. PAHO/WHO is working closely with UNICEF in the coordination of action and joint work both in Haiti and Dominican Republic, and with the private sector in order to ensure fuel provision to hospitals in the North Departments.

5. Five experts have been mobilized: four to Haiti (logistic, disaster, experts and surveillance) and one to Dominican Republic (disaster preparedness) to support PWR in that country.

6. PROMESS, the Central Pharmacy supported directly by PAHO since 1992, is expected to receive additional support in order to increase its capacity to reach people in difficult access areas mainly through existing entities.

7. The inter-agency humanitarian mission has assisted the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team in establishing and facilitating a global humanitarian platform (UN, NGOs, donors), and a Task Force which includes focal points from all UN agencies. The Task Force is operating from a fully equipped Emergency Room in the UNDP office in Port-au-Prince.

10. The Inter American response Committee on Haiti, met at PAHO’s Emergency Operating Center on February 18 to exchange information regarding each institution’s action to the humanitarian crisis. The meeting included Washington based agencies and diplomatic missions.

11. Approximately US$ 700,000 have been pledged by USAID, CIDA and EU to support the Organization in assisting Haiti.

Contacts:

Emergency Operation Center, Washington D.C.
Mariela Cánepa
HAITI@paho.org
202 974 3399