Health response to the earthquake in Haiti, January 2010

Health response to the earthquake in Haiti January 2010• Communications: Fixed telephone lines, that were unreliable in normal times, weresuspended; mobile phone lines were unavailable most of the time, satellite telephonecircuits were overloaded, and internet access was limited.• Language: The language barrier was a significant obstacle for some foreign teamsthat found themselves unable to communicate properly in French or Creole withtheir local partners and beneficiaries.• Administrative obstacles: A cumbersome process for both customs clearance in Haitiand approval of movement and arrangement for escort, when required by UNsecurity rules, causing difficulties and delays.Substantially increasing the number of personnel, to coordinate and manage thehealth sector response without increasing logistical support, would not have resultedin a more effective response.The humanitarian actors• If the impact of the earthquake was unprecedented, the response was not. It followedthe trend observed in past disasters.• National professionals and neighboring countries played a significant role. The foreignresponse was extremely generous.The earliest and therefore most effective responders were those already in Haiti and especiallyin Port-au-Prince: relatives and neighbors, local health services, and the manyhumanitarian agencies already on site. How many lives, for instance, neighbors andrelatives have saved will never be known. The local contribution was invaluable butovershadowed by international actors better skilled in public relations.The Haitian actorsAccording to most accounts, the solidarity among the Haitians was massive, with peoplehelping each other in the ruins, sharing the little they had, and trying to get as many peopleas they could out of the debris. Despite a few unruly incidents during supply distribution,which were overblown by the media, the many stories of solidarity confirm once more thatrampant social disorder and violence after natural disasters is, indeed, just a myth.Local health personnelIn all disasters, local health services play a key role, especially the first few days beforeassistance can arrive. Haiti was no exception.A much debated issue is the conflict in roles for health workers between caring for theirown families and their professional obligations. How did that play out in Haiti?38