PAHO - Pan American Health Organization

Published purpose

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale rocked Port-au-Prince, the capital of the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti. It is estimated that up to 3,000,000 people have been affected by the disaster, either through injury or through loss of access to life-sustaining necessities such as food, water, sanitation services, and shelter. The overall objective of this project is to save lives and prevent further deterioration of public health conditions in the earthquake affected areas. Activities are coordinated with the national health authorities and health partners. They include rapid health assessments of needs, damage, impact, and gaps in assistance; the surveillance and early detection of disease; and assessments of the status of water and sanitation conditions. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) also aims to ensure the reactivation of primary health care services and the provision of local psychosocial support, while working to ensure the availability of adequate drugs and medical supplies in hospitals and health facilities. Expected outcomes include the control and reduction of communicable diseases in affected areas.