Crisis in Haiti: Médecins du Monde urges to protect the population and humanitarian access

Crisis in Haiti: Médecins du Monde urges to protect the population and humanitarian access

Nov. 28, 2024

Haiti is shaken by a new outbreak of violence that is weakening an already critical humanitarian and health context. Since October 2024, we have witnessed an increase in attacks and violent clashes, particularly in the West and Artibonite departments. Médecins du Monde warns of the deterioration in security and is concerned about its humanitarian and health consequences. The organization calls for the protection of populations, to guarantee access to humanitarian aid and health services, and to strengthen international aid.

“We are deeply concerned by the intensification of violence that targets not only civilians, but also the medical mission, at a time when the population has a crucial need to access health services. It is imperative to protect staff and infrastructure, to strengthen the humanitarian response to meet the vital and urgent needs of a population largely deprived of essential aid. Our work must not be hindered, prevented or attacked,” underlines the head of mission of Médecins du Monde in Haiti.

The health sector targeted

Médecins du Monde strongly condemns the violence targeting health workers, patients and health infrastructure. These attacks, combined with widespread insecurity and the growing needs of the population, seriously compromise access to essential health services. As a result, access to health care for the Haitian population is considerably reduced. In the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, less than half of the health facilities are operating at maximum capacity.

“In just two weeks, we have seen a massive displacement of internally displaced populations due to armed violence and the creation of 13 new sites in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.”

Exacerbated humanitarian and health needs

In addition to direct violence, attacks and clashes in recent weeks have forced tens of thousands of people to rapidly leave their homes, bringing the total number of displaced people to more than 703,000 by October 2024, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Half of them are children. While the majority of them find refuge in the community, a growing number of people are forced to move to displacement sites where health and security conditions are unworthy. These sites, characterized by overcrowding, significant promiscuity and limited access to water and basic sanitation facilities, amplify health risks, such as epidemics, respiratory infections and sexual violence.

“In just two weeks, we have seen a massive displacement of internally displaced populations due to armed violence and the creation of 13 new sites in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. This situation is worsening an already critical humanitarian crisis, marked by the closure of around fifteen health facilities, including the University Hospital of the State University of Haiti, and by the saturation of facilities that are still functional, such as the University Hospital La Paix,” emphasizes the country coordinator of Médecins du Monde in Haiti.

Médecins du Monde in Haiti

Present in Haiti for nearly 30 years, Médecins du Monde works in the areas of health, sexual and reproductive health rights, mental health, protection, and capacity building for health system personnel and infrastructure. In collaboration with multi-skilled community health workers (ASCP) and its partners, the organization responds to the health needs of local communities and facilitates their access to care, despite a complex security context.

Photo: AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph

Inadequate humanitarian response

Despite a significant increase in humanitarian needs, while more than half of the Haitian population suffers from food insecurity, the response of the international community remains insufficient to address the emergency of the situation. At the end of November, only 43% of the needs identified in the country's humanitarian response plan for 2024 had been covered.

Since the incidents of November 11, 2024, the closure of Toussaint Louverture International Airport and the suspension of several humanitarian flights to Port-au-Prince have seriously compromised the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide essential services, further increasing the isolation of Haiti, particularly its capital, every day.

Médecins du Monde calls on all stakeholders to guarantee the necessary protection for humanitarian and health personnel as well as medical infrastructure and goods. The organization also calls on the international community to strengthen its support for the humanitarian response in Haiti.