Location: Port-au-Prince metropolitan area

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 UK (DOW UK) 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:

DOW UK has strengthened the arrangements for caring for victims of violence by training health workers in five hospitals in Port-au-Prince, setting up emergency meal provision and providing free psychotherapy sessions. In addition, community leaders have been trained and there have been awareness-raising sessions to improve awareness of violence as an issue. DOW UK also works with its partner URAMEL to lobby for victims rights to be recognised.

Outlook:
The programme supporting care for victims of violence will finish in December 2009. Some of the medical and psychological activities will be handed over to the Ministry of Health. DOW UK is also seeking to transfer its skills, in relation to training and awareness-raising, to local civil society organisations.

Read our report on Haiti: Earthquake Emergency with Key Dates, Updates and our Long-Term Involvement.