Location: Gonaïves

Situation:
Faced with chronic political instability, for many years Haiti has experienced growing security problems. The 2006 election of René Préval as president has led to some reforms in terms of justice and human rights. The frequent natural disasters and the economic situation, however, have prevented the implementation of these reforms. In this context, Doctors of the World (DOW) has set up mobile clinics to care for people affected by the cyclones and has developed a system of free healthcare to improve access to healthcare.

Activities:

In order to restore access to healthcare as quickly as possible for the people affected by the cyclones in early September, the DOW programme set up mobile clinics in 15 temporary shelters in the town. The minimum package of activities, decided in consultation with the Artibonite health department, comprises medical consultations, ante-natal care, nutritional screening for children aged between 6 and 59 months, treatment of moderate malnutrition, dispensing essential medicines and dressings, carrying out health education activities and providing psychological care (in partnership with the Belgian section of MSF).

Outlook:
A six-month extension of the project is planned, from January 2009, depending on whether new funding is received from ECHO. During this extension, the project aims to follow-up on malnutrition in children aged between 6 and 59 months and to support families who have been forced out of rudimentary shelters and who remain extremely vulnerable.