Facing one of its worst humanitarian crises in decades, Haiti has received a critical shipment of medical supplies from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), offering a glimmer of hope for communities battling violence, displacement, and a crumbling health system.
The cargo, weighing close to three tonnes, landed recently in Port-au-Prince carrying surgical equipment, emergency medical kits, syringes, protective gear for doctors and nurses, and vital supplies for treating trauma patients. It also included disease surveillance materials for illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, dengue, and HIV—essential tools to guard against outbreaks in increasingly vulnerable populations.
With ports and airports under siege from armed groups, getting aid into the country has become a dangerous mission. PAHO credits its partnership with the Haiti Logistics Cluster, the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama, and the World Food Programme for navigating these obstacles and ensuring the supplies reached their destination.
“The violence has severely crippled Haiti’s health services,” said Dr. Oscar Barrenech, PAHO/WHO representative in Haiti. “These shipments are more than boxes of medicine—they are a lifeline for millions who have no other options.”
Since the beginning of 2024, PAHO has managed to send over 250 tonnes of medical supplies to Haiti, even as conditions on the ground continue to deteriorate. In Port-au-Prince alone, nearly 60% of healthcare facilities are either only partially operating or completely shut down, leaving entire neighborhoods without access to doctors, treatment, or even basic medicines.
The crisis has been deepened by mass displacement. More than a million Haitians have fled their homes since late 2022, most of them forced into overcrowded shelters with poor sanitation and limited healthcare. As families pack into makeshift camps, the risk of disease outbreaks grows every day.
PAHO says it remains committed to working hand-in-hand with Haitian health authorities and international partners to keep clinics and hospitals running, despite overwhelming challenges. The organization continues to call for greater international support to avert an even larger humanitarian catastrophe.
