How We Responded Before Haiti's 1st Case

Well before Haiti had its first confirmed case of COVID-19, leaders of Fonkoze created the country's first Creole-language training on the disease while developing a strategic response plan to help the hundreds of thousands of people it serves across the country protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease.

With branches located in virtually every region in Haiti, Fonkoze is leveraging its large network to administer sanitation, water purification and other training to its 900+ staff and nearly 1,400 trained Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs) across the country. Read the news article.

Protecting Vulnerable Communities

In a country where the medical system is already fragile and accessibility to basic health services (and clean water) for its poorest citizens is severely lacking, a COVID-19 outbreak could devastate Haiti. The country's lack of infrastructure (e.g., paved roads) would add to the crisis, making it difficult for health officials to reach those infected and vice versa.

As of April 3, 2020, estimates on ICU beds in Haiti range from 30 – 124, with 64 ventilators. Like in other contexts, the livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations do not allow for effective social distancing - which is a formula for a health catastrophe.

With support from its partners and individual donors, Fonkoze is working to secure protective gear, develop public service announcements and training through innovative channels and ensure the most vulnerable households across Haiti have access to medical care.

Photo: © Maxence Bradley

Training, Protective Items and More

Thanks to the ongoing support of its donors,  Fonkoze has been able to equip thousands of its staff and client leaders with the resources and tools needed to stay healthy:

• Distribution of soaps, masks
• Distribution of handwashing stations
• Distribution of solar chargers
• Distribution of hygiene kits
• Dissemination of training to thousands

Food Security

In addition to helping its clients and their communities protect their health during this pandemic, Fonkoze's strategic response to COVID-19 in Haiti also involves taking measures to ensure the most vulnerable populations throughout the country do not become more food insecure in the days, weeks and months to come.

Photo: © Fonkoze

Economic Recovery

For over 25 years, Fonkoze has empowered disenfranchised and poor Haitians to lift themselves out of poverty and to deal with crises, including hurricanes, earthquakes and political upheaval and pandemics. As such, Fonkoze's COVID-19 response plan includes a recovery strategy focused on equipping poor families across Haiti with the tools and resources needed to relaunch their economic activities as quickly as possible. Your support makes a difference. Donate>>

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