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HAITI / MATERNAL HEALTH
STORY: HAITI / MATERNAL HEALTH
SOURCE: UNFPA
TRT: 2.31
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ FRENCH/ NATS
DATELINE: RECENT, PORT-AU-PRINCE
1. Various shots, Port-au-Prince
3. Zoom out, sprawling camp
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Igor Bosc, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative:
“The situation in Haiti has completely changed after the earthquake. We can see here, people living in camps; there are 1.5 million people in such conditions. Living there is not easy. There’s little access to water, little access to basic health services schooling, everything."
5. Various shots, life in camps
6. Various shots, maternity ward waiting room
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Igor Bosc, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative:
“75 percent of births in Haiti are occurring at home. Unfortunately with the traffic there is in Port-au Prince when a woman has to give birth it is very unlikely that she will be able to reach a skilled birth attendant on time. And the birth complications are high.”
10. Various shots, pelvic exam in maternity ward
11. Various shots, young girls in camps
18. Pan right, from young girl to solar light construction
19. Pan right, from latrines to solar light construction
20. Various shots, solar light construction
21, SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Laurenceau, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Representative:
“Women have to go to bathroom or have to take showers at the end of the day, because they are very long days. At night it’s some risky, it can be risky for them so it’s actually a protection measure for them to, against any kind of harassment or exploitations or abuse.”
22. Various shots, women waiting for Dignity Kits
23. Various shots, Dignity Kit distribution
24. SOUNDBITE (French) Marjorie Michel, Minister of Women’s Affairs of Haiti:
“We distribute these hygienic articles provided by UNFPA to women who are in difficult situations.”
25. Various shots, dance troupe.
Nearly eight months have passed since a catastrophic earthquake struck the Republic of Haiti and the devastation continues to challenge survivors and the international community’s relief efforts.
SOUNDBITE (English) Igor Bosc, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative:
“The situation in Haiti has completely changed after the earthquake. We can see here, people living in camps; there are 1.5 million people in such conditions. Living there is not easy. There’s little access to water, little access to basic health services schooling, everything."
Maternal health care is one of the most urgent needs. Even before the earthquake, pregnancy here was perilous, with 1 woman in 44 dying in pregnancy or childbirth and an infant mortality rate over 6 percent.
SOUNDBITE (English) Igor Bosc, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative:
“75 percent of births in Haiti are occurring at home. Unfortunately with the traffic there is in Port-au Prince when a woman has to give birth it is very unlikely that she will be able to reach a skilled birth attendant on time. And the birth complications are high.”
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Haitian government have made a priority of supporting maternal health services, establishing temporary and mobile clinics for the tens of thousands of pregnant women in the disaster area.
The women here have access to counselling, supplies, and techniques they would otherwise be without.
To improve protection for women and girls, UNFPA has also erected solar lights that illuminate the paths to latrines and other areas where safety is a concern.
SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Laurenceau, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Representative:
“Women have to go to bathroom or have to take showers at the end of the day, because they are very long days. At night it’s some risky, it can be risky for them so it’s actually a protection measure for them to, against any kind of harassment or exploitations or abuse.”
One of UNFPA’s most unique initiatives is the Dignity Kit, which is distributed by the thousands to women in camps. These kits contain towels, condoms, sanitary items, rape whistles, and other essentials that are in short supply.
SOUNDBITE (French) Marjorie Michel, Minister of Women’s Affairs of Haiti:
“We distribute these hygienic articles provided by UNFPA to women who are in difficult situations.”
UNFPA is also working to improve morale with music. The Shaka dance troupe entertains and engages people who’ve been through so much.
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