General Overview
The situation in Haiti tends to worsen
every day. The Northern districts continue to be cut from the rest of the
country. These roads pass through two cities, Gonaïves (West) and Hinche
(Plateau Central), which are under insurgent control. The north can only
be reached by boat or plane. Bahamas has banned trips to Haiti.
The United Nations designated Official for Security in Haiti, in consultation with the Security Management Team, has declared PHASE IV of the Security Plan for the city of Gonaives, PHASE III for Port au Prince an all the areas north in the capital and PHASE II for the rest of the country. Arrangements are being made for the relocation of United Nations non-essential staff and dependants to safe haven in Dominican Republic.
On February 23 the US Government sent 50 combat-ready Marines to Haiti to protect the US Embassy and its staff.
Priority Areas
1. Strengthening of PAHO´s operational capacity to ensure that essential services and drugs continue to be provided to the most vulnerable segments of population. The protection of the neutrality of the health services, security of the health facilities and of health workers as well as of convoys is essential. Provision of fuel and gas propane is one of the major concerns.
2. Supporting PROMESS is also essential in order to ensure effective delivery of medical supplies to the most vulnerable groups.
Actions Carried Out by PAHO/WHO
1. PAHO/WHO continues to work in coordination with UN agencies and NGOs. The crisis team has been activated in Haiti and an Emergency Operation Center--in close contact with the executive management--has been activated on the 10th floor at PAHO's HQ. An e-mail address is open: HAITI@paho.org. All the information received is being processed in order to support the PWR in Haiti. Daily meetings are taking place in order to coordinate action among staff members and with PWRs in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
2. Security training of health care providers and delivery of essential medicines have been organized in close collaboration with ICRC.
3. The Crisis team is also working with the Haitian Health Ministry to seek a guarantee for the protection of the neutrality of the health services, security of the health facilities and of health workers as well as of convoys. A rapid assessment Inter-Agency mission to the North has been organized, including a dozen of UN staff members from eight UN agencies (FAO, WHO/PAHO, UNAIDS, WFP, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF) and OCHA . They flew to Cap-Haïtien and Port-de-Paix on Friday, 20th.
4. PAHO/WHO is working closely with UNICEF in the coordination of action and joint work both in Haiti and Dominican Republic, and with the private sector in order to ensure fuel provision to hospitals in the North Departments.
5. Five experts have been mobilized: four to Haiti (logistic, disaster, experts and surveillance) and one to Dominican Republic (disaster preparedness) to support PWR in that country.
6. PROMESS, the Central Pharmacy supported directly by PAHO since 1992, is expected to receive additional support in order to increase its capacity to reach people in difficult access areas mainly through existing entities.
7. The inter-agency humanitarian mission has assisted the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team in establishing and facilitating a global humanitarian platform (UN, NGOs, donors), and a Task Force which includes focal points from all UN agencies. The Task Force is operating from a fully equipped Emergency Room in the UNDP office in Port-au-Prince.
10. The Inter American response Committee on Haiti, met at PAHO's Emergency Operating Center on February 18 to exchange information regarding each institution's action to the humanitarian crisis. The meeting included Washington based agencies and diplomatic missions.
11. Approximately US$ 700,000 have been pledged by USAID, CIDA and EU to support the Organization in assisting Haiti.
Contacts:
Emergency Operation Center, Washington
D.C.
Mariela Cánepa
HAITI@paho.org
202 974 3399
Emergency Operation Center, Haiti
Dra. Neyde Garrido
011 509 260 5700/5707