Port-au-Prince, Haiti – The school Lycée Jeunes Filles in Port-au-Prince is bursting with people. Once a place for learning, it now houses over 5,000 people forced to leave their homes due to massive gang violence that has been ravaging the country for multiple years now.
The former classrooms and hallways now serve as living spaces, each filled with individuals and families carrying stories of loss and suffering. Among them are Nadine and Claude, whose paths intersected in this displacement site.
Nadine sits in her corner, surrounded by neatly stacked belongings – blankets, containers, a few precious keepsakes from her former life. Nonetheless, this small space offers her a tiny measure of stability in an uncertain world.
Claude and his family, sharing a small corner of what used to be a classroom. Privacy is often a challenge, with only blankets serving as walls. Photo: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
Meanwhile, Claude watches over his family with a protective gaze. His wife and child sit beside him, their expressions a mixture of exhaustion and hope. He is ever-vigilant, keenly aware of their vulnerability in this crowded site. For Claude, in an environment where stability is hard-won, "every day is a struggle to maintain our dignity and provide security for my family."
Today, however, brings a glimmer of relief. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) scheduled a mobile clinic on the site to offer much-needed medical support. For many residents like Nadine and Claude, access to health care has been scarce, often inaccessible since their displacement. The arrival of the mobile teams for this clinic is a lifeline, an opportunity to address the health needs that have been overlooked for far too long.
Setting up care amidst challenges
Deploying teams for an IOM mobile clinic is no small feat. It involves navigating logistical and security challenges, transporting equipment, supplies, and a team of health-care professionals through sometimes rough and gang-disputed terrain. But this is where Edwisson, the president of the site management committee, plays a crucial role.
Edwisson is well-known in Lycée Jeunes Filles. With a deep familiarity with the site and its residents, he understands their struggles, their stories, and their needs. His role is invaluable; he is the bridge between the IOM team and the community, guiding the medical staff to those most in need.
Edwisson, who presides over the committee that manages the site daily, helps coordinate the assistance provided by IOM and partners. Photo: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
Marie walks through the corridors of Lycée Jeunes Filles, now a crowded displacement site. Photo: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
As he walks alongside the IOM team, Edwisson points out residents who are particularly vulnerable, like Nadine, who has been feeling weak and tired for weeks. He stops by Claude’s shelter, exchanging a few words with him, noting his concerns for his family’s health. By the time the clinic is fully set up, Edwisson has ensured that no one is overlooked, that each individual requiring care is accounted for.
At Lycée Jeunes Filles, men and women queue for hygiene kits and basic medical assistance provided by IOM. Photo: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
Raising awareness and educating on health
As Nadine and Claude join the line of people waiting for medical attention, they receive more than just basic health care – they also get knowledge. While waiting, the medical staff conduct awareness sessions on health issues common in displacement contexts. Topics like hypertension, HIV, and even stroke prevention are discussed, with practical advice on managing health in such precarious living conditions.
Nadine and other displaced people listen intently during a discussion with IOM staff. At Lycée Jeunes Filles and across displacement sites, these engagements are vital, as they bring medical aid, awareness on health issues, and a touch of hope to families displaced by violence in Port-au-Prince. Photos: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
Nadine listens closely as a doctor from IOM explains the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms early, a life-saving skill in these circumstances. Claude absorbs every word, understanding that this information could make a vital difference for his family. These sessions are brief but impactful, providing residents with tools to protect themselves and their loved ones in an environment where health risks are so much bigger than anywhere else.
When Nadine’s turn arrives, she approaches the medical station and sits down across from a doctor who listens to her patiently and with empathy as she describes her symptoms. The exam is basic but essential, focusing on immediate health concerns and offering solutions when possible.
IOM staff members provide essential medical support, ensuring that residents have access to necessary treatments and consultations. Photos: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
IOM staff members provide essential medical support, ensuring that residents have access to necessary treatments and consultations. Photos: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
However, not all health needs can be addressed immediately during the mobile clinic. For cases requiring specialized or advanced care – severe infections, chronic conditions, or high-risk pregnancies – the IOM team refers patients to either public hospitals, where services are free, or private facilities, where costs are covered by IOM to ensure no one is left without necessary care. This support network extends the clinic’s reach, ensuring that critical health issues are met with appropriate care beyond the initial consultation.
More than just temporary aid
The IOM team does not stop there. In the days and weeks that follow, they check on Nadine, Claude and other visitors or patients of the mobile clinics. For some, this follow-up involves phone calls to ensure that prescribed treatments are working. For others, particularly those whose conditions evolve, the team may revisit the site to provide additional care or facilitate further referrals to specialized hospitals. This commitment to ongoing support underscores IOM’s dedication to more than just temporary aid – it’s a pledge to accompany displaced people as they navigate the tragedy of this forced displacement.
The vital work of IOM in delivering medical assistance to displaced populations, as well as other forms of support, is impossible without the steadfast backing of donors. This support ensures that IOM can remain on the ground, addressing urgent needs and adapting to new challenges as they arise. Donor contributions form the cornerstone of these life-saving efforts, transforming compassion into tangible help for those facing the harshest conditions.
*Names have been altered. All individuals in the photos were informed of their purpose and gave their consent.
This story was written by Antoine Lemonnier, IOM Haiti Communications Officer.
