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Haiti Program Endures After the Storm
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The Challenge In 2008, Haiti endured a series of storms that left the country’s infrastructure weakened and damaged. Not only did hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike interrupt shipments to clinic sites, but upcoming shipments of ARVs and other HIV/AIDS commodities had to compete for cargo space with equally essential relief supplies to help those left homeless or injured. To address this crisis, SCMS has helped in relief efforts by reaching out to partners to coordinate response and ensure that the delivery of medical supplies continues.
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SCMS responded immediately to the situation by contacting the Ministry of Health and various United Nations institutions to coordinate efforts, gain access to accurate information, and increase our ability to respond where we are most needed. We assigned most of our supply chain monitors to information seeking activities to determine the condition of sites that receive HIV/AIDS commodities and how any damage would impact the delivery of medical supplies. SCMS staff in Haiti contacted 90 PEPFAR sites to assess damage to structures, loss of commodities, and any urgent and immediate needs. Fortunately, most sites reported that staff and structures were safe after the storms. The most extensive loss of commodities and equipment occurred in the town of Gonaives, where our staff were able to make a partial delivery of ARVs and other supplies. Staff met our network partner at the collapsed bridge of Montrouis and transferred by hand the supplies from one side to the other.
SCMS staff in Haiti contacted 90 PEPFAR sites to assess damage to structures, loss of commodities, and any urgent and immediate needs.
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Results and OutcomesSCMS staff members responded immediately by evaluating the impact on deliveries and inventory and prioritized shipments for the most urgently needed commodities both within and into the country. Despite weakened infrastructure resulting from the September hurricanes, the Haiti staff were able to avert all stockouts and complete over 90% of quarterly distributions by utilizing alternative resources, such as trucks and planes. They also worked hard to meet the urgent needs of the health system by placing emergency orders for HIV commodities.
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