Disaster risk reduction in Haiti: focusing on community based health preparedness and early warning

Medecins du Monde - press release

A huge earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010. Back in 2008, the country was hit 3 times by devastating hurricanes. This small island, the poorest and least developed country in the Caribbean has bore the brunt of many major disasters.

Why we are taking action

Because of the strong need and weak local healthcare structures' capacity to prepare for and manage catastrophes, Medecins du Monde (MdM) UK has decided to launch a disaster risk reduction project in Haiti to help reduce the continuously rising death toll which follows 'natural' disasters.

We will be acting in line with the UN Millenium Development Goals in an area where there is a strong need due to the lack of international NGOs doing health centred disaster risk reduction.

What we will be doing

We aim at reducing the health vulnerability of population in the Grande Anse region by increasing the community's capacity to prepare for and better respond to natural disasters.

Our main points of action are to:

- Mobilise community networks in order to have a community based early warning system; radio campaigns; production of information materials about the prevention of epidemics in emergencies

- Work with WHO and provide training on disease surveillance

- Develop a medical referral system for secondary health care in emergency times

- Deliver first aid training

- Train health personnel on diseases with epidemic potential

- Pre-position essential drugs and medical materials (emergency kits) at accessible locations

- Provide and train on the use of protective gear for medicines and medical equipment