In Haiti, health and psychosocial support help displaced families rebuild hope

From isolation to care

Like many people displaced by the crisis in Haiti, Yolène arrived at the site with limited access to health services and psychosocial support, while coping with the emotional and economic consequences of displacement. Over time, her physical and emotional well-being deteriorated. She experienced a loss of appetite, insomnia, extreme fatigue, weight loss, deep sadness, and increasing social isolation. Residents at the site became concerned about her condition.

Her situation changed when a psychologist visiting the site identified the need for urgent support and follow-up care.

The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), with technical and logistical support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has deployed psychologists and social workers to IDP sites in Haiti’s Ouestest and Centre departments to strengthen access to mental health and psychosocial support services.

After an initial examination, the on-site psychologists determined her condition was severe and arranged an ambulance transfer to the hospital. Medical examinations identified severe vitamin deficiency, depression, and an infection requiring specialized care. Given the complexity of her condition, her care team developed an integrated approach combining medical treatment, psychological support, and social services.

“To notice someone who is suffering is already the beginning of helping them,” says Claudet Michel, a psychologist working in IDP sites in Belladère, who identified Yolène’s case after being alerted by a fellow physician. “Behind every early intervention lies a life protected, a dignity restored, and a hope revived.”

Since her hospitalization, she has received ongoing care from healthcare professionals and the field team, who accompany her to her medical appointments and help her access basic food to support her recovery.

Signs of hope

Today, Yolène is showing significant signs of improvement. She has improved her communication with care providers and is increasingly engaged in her care. Her overall condition is stable, and she is gradually showing renewed interest in her surroundings and her future.

“Yolène’s story illustrates the major mental health challenges in Haiti, in a context marked by insecurity, forced displacement, and limited access to essential services. It shows the importance of early detection and close psychosocial support, as the most vulnerable people are not always able to seek help on their own,” explains Dr. Yanick Mwe Mutani, psychiatrist and Mental Health Consultant at the PAHO Office in Haiti.

Still, her journey is not over. Limited financial resources, the fragility of her family network, and her need for long-term support remain significant challenges. To help address these concerns, teams conducted a detailed socioeconomic assessment and are working with partners to identify additional sources of support that may contribute to her longer-term well-being and ability to rebuild her life.

One story of many

Yolène’s story is one of many. Across Haiti, health workers, psychologists, social workers and humanitarian partners continue to support people displaced by violence and insecurity, helping them access essential health services during a time of profound uncertainty.

With operational assistance from PAHO and funding from the Regional Humanitarian Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean (RHPF LAC), these interventions are strengthening access to health, mental health and psychosocial support services for displaced communities.

On World Humanitarian Day, PAHO recognizes the dedication of frontline health and humanitarian workers who continue to serve vulnerable communities across Haiti, often under extremely challenging circumstances. Their work helps ensure that people affected by crisis are seen, supported and able to access the care they need — just as Yolène was when she needed it most.

[1] Yolène is a pseudonym used to protect the beneficiary’s anonymity.