Covid-19 Update from Haiti

Update from Marilyn McIlroy, EMCC World Partners Project Manager and Community Development regarding the Covid situation in Hait.

We are praying together for our hurting world!

Hello friends: 

I just want to send a brief update re the part of Haiti that we all know and love! 

I spoke with Se Herlynda Philogene this afternoon.  She stated that many people have been laid off work (as here) but with no government promising any financial help.  In a country where very few people have work to begin with, these layoffs cause huge anxiety and fear for families.  

Haiti is reported to have thirty confirmed cases of COVID19 and 2 deaths (as of Friday, April 10 - 37 cases confirmed as of April 15).  Of course these are the confirmed cases and the known deaths.  Herlynda stated that no one in Gender and Disaster Netowrd or Ouanaminthe has tested positive (not sure if they are even doing the testing in OAN).  But she said that there were two positive cases in Fort Liberte and one died last evening.  She said there are cases in the other cities between OAN and Cap Haitian.  She said that Haitians are returning home from the Dominican Republic (crossing through the river as the border is closed).  They are bringing COVID home with them!  The D.R. reported over 1,700 cases.  

To top of the difficult situation, the US expelled 68 Haitians back to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday.  It is quite likely that a number of them will be carrying Covid back as well.  Let us be praying for Haiti (and Cuba and Jamaica and Venezuela).  Resources are almost non existent.  It is the private hospitals that are taking on the care of the ill and dying.  The staff at other hospitals are refusing to work due to lack of PPE. 

Herlynda wanted me to tell you that they are praying for Canada.  They are hearing the news about Canada and are concerned for us.  I said that I would pass along her words of concern and comfort for us as well.  

The GDN clinic remains open and still is seeing patients who need care.  Thank you for praying.  

Marilyn