9th January 2012

Two years after the earthquake that devastated Haiti on 12th January 2010, Doctors of the Word has joined forces with the illustrator Rémi Courgeon to present Haiti 2 years after: An Unfinished Portrait a multimedia creation based on portraits of patients and medical staff that the artist drew where Doctors of the World operates in Haiti.
On the second anniversary our work continues with teams, who have been working for the organisation in the country since 1989, made up almost entirely of Haitians (95%).  This work carries on despite difficult conditions caused by political transition and a reduction in funding by the international community.

In 2011, more than 250 000 consultations and surgical procedures took place at Port au Prince, and in the West, Central, Grande Anse and Nippes regions. Since the start of the cholera epidemic in October 2010, Doctors of the World has introduced long-term programmes for the prevention and treatment of the illness. We currently manage 15 cholera treatment units, 3 treatment centres, and 28 oral rehydration centres. This work is carried out in co-operation with the national health authorities and local organisations.

Today the reconstruction of the Haitian health system should guarantee genuine access to care for the most vulnerable. To strengthen the health system, Doctors of the World supports free access to health care for pregnant women and children under 5 years of age in Haiti.  This is the first step towards an equitable health system. 

Note on donations received / expenditure incurred:
Following the earthquake, Doctors of the World collected £19.9 million (24.1 million Euros) and spent £15.6 million (19 million Euros) between January 2010 and October 2011. £4.2 million (5.1 million Euros) has already been allocated for 2012 in order to fund Doctors of the World’s aid programmes.

Click here to find out more about our work in Haiti - Haiti: 2 Years After The Earthquake Press Kit

Picture: © Rémi Courgeon