Doctors of the World’s teams in Haiti prepare for Hurricane Irma

Published 7th September 2017

Hurricane Irma is causing major destruction as it passes through the Caribbean.

Irma, one of the worst Atlantic storms in a century, is due to pass by Haiti’s coast on 7 September. This impoverished island nation is still recovering from a hurricane last year that killed 500 people and affected 1.8 million others.

Doctors of the World’s medical teams in Haiti are preparing to respond to this potential emergency. Our teams are poised to deploy mobile clinics and have prepared medical supplies for emergency distribution.

Irma has left a trail of destruction in its wake since it made landfall in the Caribbean on 6 September. Ten people have died so far across four islands and hundreds have been left homeless, the BBC has reported.

We’re highly concerned about Haiti’s northern coast. The city of Port de Paix’s hospital is particularly at risk. Approximately 2.2 million Haitians live in the northern areas of the island that are most likely to be affected by Irma, the UN has estimated.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas and its residents are still reeling from a devastating hurricane last year and a severe earthquake in 2010. There are only three doctors and nurses, and less than seven hospital beds, for every 10,000 inhabitants. More than one in ten Haitians rely on aid.

Doctors of the World’s network has been working in Haiti since 1989. We’ve responded to several emergencies there, while also strengthening the local health system and preventing cholera outbreaks. When Hurricane Matthew struck the island last year, we sent dozens of mobile clinics to remote areas.

We’re monitoring the situation and we’ll share updates as soon as we can. In the meantime you can donate to support our teams on the ground.

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