Healthcare services in Asile Comunal, a densely populated urban slum in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, were severely impacted by the January 12, 2010, earthquake. The disaster left thousands of residents without access to critical health services, resulting in a significant need for medical care. Project Concern International (PCI) initiated a strategy to address this need, partnering with the Centre D’Accueil et de Récupération des Personnes du 3ème Age (CARPA), a local Haitian NGO, to establish a health clinic in Asile Comunal.
The clinic, staffed with a doctor, nurses, and volunteers from local universities, as well as a mobile health team, provides essential services to an estimated 300 people per week. This population includes 69% women and 14% children under the age of five, with a significant number of elderly individuals who were displaced when the earthquake damaged their retirement home. The clinic’s services cater to the diverse needs of the community, including medical care, health education, and referrals to specialized services.
In addition to the clinic in Asile Comunal, PCI, with funding from USAID, has established four community health clinics and deployed nine mobile health teams to provide basic health services and outreach to community members in various neighborhoods, including Belair, Nazon, Avenue Poupelard, Croix Desprez, and Fort National. These efforts aim to strengthen the capacity of local NGOs and health providers to restore their services and meet the needs of local families directly.
The healthcare initiatives in Asile Comunal and surrounding areas are part of a broader response to the earthquake, which has received significant funding from USAID. As of July 6, USAID had provided more than $54 million in health assistance in response to the disaster. This support has enabled PCI to implement a range of programs, including gender-based violence prevention, child protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene, cash-for-work, and emergency shelter.
The healthcare services provided in Asile Comunal and other affected areas have made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of people. By addressing the immediate needs of the community and strengthening the capacity of local health providers, these initiatives have helped to restore access to critical health services and promote overall well-being in the aftermath of the earthquake.