Lives of hundreds of hospitalized women and children at risk amid fuel shortage in Haiti, says UNICEF

The Caribbean island Haiti is facing a fuel crisis which led to low supplies for electricity in the hospitals, putting at risk the lives of hundreds of women and children, United Nations children’s agency UNICEF warned.

25th of October 2021

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: The Caribbean island Haiti is facing a fuel crisis which led to low supplies for electricity in the hospitals, putting at risk the lives of hundreds of women and children, United Nations children’s agency UNICEF warned.

The international organization further noted that in the past days, they had received various disappointing messages from the several hospitals of Haiti to assist them.

UNICEF further noted that as per the report of local media, two major hospitals of Haiti are not able to operate amid the shortage that has put in danger lives of 300 children, 45 women, in the maternity hospitals and 70 other adults, which also include the COVID patients.

UNICEF further added that over 150 hospitalized COVID-19 patients are in need of emergency treatment and are at risk. Although seeing the situation, the international organization has signed a contract with one of the local companies to supply fuel to the hospitals (although one of the suppliers was not able to deliver it).

The Deputy Representative of UNICEF for Haiti – Raoul De Torcy, stated that “With the insecurity that reigns in Port-au-Prince, the lives of many women of childbearing age and newborn babies are in danger because the hospitals which should provide them with the life-saving care cannot operate as the island country faces fuel crisis.

“They are at the risk of dying if the health services cannot provide them with adequate care.”

Haiti is the most ‘impoverished nation’ of the Caribbean region who is currently battling several issues such as – gang-violence, COVID-19 outbreak, poverty, political chaos. The crime rate in the island is increasing day by day; the people are feeling helpless, the situation is so intense in Haiti. The political instability, COVID, crime and hunger crisis is making the situation more worse.

There are nations and international/national organizations coming in front and assisting Haiti in such difficult times, but the help required is more than it is being provided.