Southern Haiti Earthquake Relief

In the moments, hours, and days following the 7.2 magnitude that struck southern Haiti on August 14th, time was of the essence. Homes were lost. Medicine and hygiene supplies were in short supply. People were severely injured by collapsed buildings, and at such a pivotal moment, over half of the medical facilities in the region had been damaged or destroyed. In a matter of minutes, the already under-resourced healthcare system in southern Haiti was put under tremendous strain.

For the last eight months, Health Equity International/St. Boniface Hospital (HEI/SBH) has led the coordination and delivery of health services in the local region. HEI/SBH is not only committed to short-term relief; we are leading efforts to build a stronger healthcare system for the people of southern Haiti. From initiating mobile clinics to opening a brand-new orthopedic surgical center, we are passionate about health equity in everything that we do. We’re glad that you are, too!

HEI/SBH’s mobile clinics continue to serve earthquake-affected communities. Our five teams have cared for over 72,000 patients since August, including 23,500 children and 2,200 pregnant women. Mobile clinics—staffed by doctors, nurses, and community health workers (CHWs)—travel to 89 rural communities across the Nippes and Sud departments. Several months after the earthquake, mobile teams are continuing to fill a continued gap in primary care. Each day, staff treat children presenting with scabies, pregnant women in need of prenatal care, and adults with chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Our staff remain resolute in HEI/SBH’s mission to provide comprehensive care to anyone in need, no matter their ailment.

Nine-year-old Alexa had one wish: to return to school. When the earthquake hit, a piece of wall crashed down and badly broke her leg. Emergency surgeons at a hospital in Port-au-Prince had attached a fixation device to help Alexa’s bones heal properly; unfortunately, her family was unable to afford to get the device removed at the same hospital. Alexa’s father visited an HEI/SBH mobile clinic near their home in Anse-à-Veau for help. Once she was moved to SBH, she had the device detached, free of charge, through our new orthopedic surgery program. 

After two months of recovery, Alexa is now able to walk, run, and play with her friends at school. She is grateful for everyone who helped make the mobile clinics possible, and for her team at SBH. Your generosity ensures that Alexa, and the tens of thousands of other patients served by SBH, are able to heal, rebuild, and recover. Thank you for making this possible.