As foreign nationals we are very visible in the local and wider community around Haiti. While the majority of Haitians welcome and support the efforts of NGOs, the social, political and economic factors that underscore daily life mean that our operating environment is extremely challenging. It is very strongly advised that you register your trip with your embassy and research and purchase extensive travel insurance that will cover you for medical treatment, medical evacuation or repatriation for the duration of your stay in Haiti. Speaking to an agent on the phone is the best way to confirm you have sufficient coverage.
Below we have outlined some of the major risks that we face in Haiti every day. Any of the project staff can advise you further -‐ any pre-‐departure questions should go to info@hands.org. We have undergone detailed project specific planning for each of the following areas of risk, and we are in regular consultation with security representatives from MINUSTAH (the UN presence in Haiti), the international humanitarian community, and national law enforcement.
Take the time to do your own research and make an informed decision that’s right for you. We recommend that once you have read the information below, you seek out your government’s advice on Haiti.
Security
Social issues facing Haiti include political instability, civil unrest, high unemployment, political violence, extreme poverty, high crime and law enforcement corruption. The country’s infrastructure is in a state of disrepair, examples of which are the poor road system and limited electrical service.
Kidnapping is often combined with carjacking/armed assault and can lead to violent assault. Few roads outside of cities are surfaced. Nighttime driving, rain, and dust only serve to make being on the road worse. Demonstrations/strikes are a common social expression. Situation escalation can happen quickly and volunteers must be aware of their environment. Sometimes meeting basic needs is a struggle, and people will act out of desperation.
Kidnapping has been a constant threat for international and national NGO staff in Haiti. Haiti has a history of kidnappings and in a majority of cases victims were released, most without injury (many paid ransom). In some cases, victims have been killed in suspected kidnapping attempts, likely because the victims resisted assailants during the incidents. The targeting profile for kidnappings in Haiti breaks down into two categories: known targets of perceived wealth and those of a random and opportunistic nature. This targeting profile places NGOs and the Haitian middle and upper class at greatest risk for kidnappings. These targets are desirable because they have wealth or are perceived to earn considerable wages -‐ enough to pay healthy ransom amounts. The remaining kidnapping victims could be from any economic bracket. Haiti’s current state of social and post earthquake transition is one of the dominant factors feeding the uncertainty and insecurity in the country. The prolonged transition has delayed or put aside potential police reforms and other security measures.
Political unrest is expected to escalate during the run up to elections in November 2010 increasing the risk to foreigners in Haiti. Incidences of abduction have risen slightly since the earthquake. As discussed above, these incidences may be targeted at foreigners, and extra precautions will be taken
by All Hands and the United Nations led security consortia.Despite the scale of the international response to the 12th January disaster, hundreds of thousands of people are still awaiting aid. For many little has changed over the last 8 months. This frustration has the potential to manifest itself as civil unrest, which in turn may be directed at local and national government, the UN presence and the NGO community.
Health
There are extremely limited primary and emergency medical care facilities for expatriates in Leogane. Dehydration, sunstroke, fatigue are common, and the risk of other medical emergencies is higher than usual due to the environment within which we work. You should thoroughly consider your potential medical requirements, arrange all vaccinations and prepare to be self sufficient. It may be possible to receive emergency treatment in Port-au-Prince, a two hour journey from our base in Leogane, but the level of that care may not be acceptable to some. We insist that all our volunteers have adequate travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. That being said, evacuation is uncertain, especially in a timely manner. All Hands Volunteers has no medical facilities, capabilities, nor do we provide evacuation services.
We have 50 to 100 people living at the base at any given time, which makes health and hygiene a primary responsibility for each individual. You may be exposed to contagious diseases. Before and whilst here, you should take required precautions as prescribed by your Doctor prior to arriving in Haiti.
Challenging living and working conditions also pose serious risks to mental health, with limited resources on the ground to address such needs. We do require that volunteers take a minimum 3 night “mental health break” every 30 days.
Travel and Public Transport
We have arranged a reliable group of drivers to run shuttles to and from the airport. These drivers are familiar with main and alternative routes, drive unmarked vehicles to maintain a low profile, and have been briefed on basic standard security operating procedures.
Public transport here is unrestricted and not monitored. Road vehicle accidents are common and we recommend that you exercise caution and make conservative safety decisions when moving around the country.
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 1. Weather projections place a high percentage chance of tropical weather activity in the Caribbean. We have planned extensively for hurricanes, however operating conditions will become even more challenging in the days and weeks following such an event. All Hands Volunteers is not an emergency response organization. In the event of a volunteer base evacuation, once the hurricane has passed All Hands will manage the exit from Leogane and you will be responsible for travel plans once the evacuation is complete.
Earthquake Safety
Please be aware that Haiti is an area with high seismic activity. The USGS issued an earthquake hazard assessment in February 2010 estimating a 90% chance of a M5 or greater aftershock in the next year (http://bit.ly/cfvl2f). Poor construction and a large number of damaged buildings exacerbates the risk from these aftershocks. We have experienced sizeable aftershocks, often at night time or whilst working around unsafe structures. While volunteering you need to always be aware of your surroundings and places to take cover during any seismic event. This advisory is regularly updated and available online. Please check the website every few weeks and before you travel for updates.
