Global Fund to Provide Emergency HIV and Tuberculosis Prevention Services within the Face of Violence in Haiti – Press Releases

Global Fund to supply emergency HIV and TB prevention services within the face of violence in Haiti

June 26, 2024

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) has approved over $1.8 million in emergency funding to urgently provide HIV and tuberculosis (TB) prevention services to victims/survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) , displaced individuals and other vulnerable groups. Emergency funds can be added to a three-year, $85 million grant that begins on January 1, 2024.

“The dramatic escalation of GBV in Haiti since the outbreak of the acute crisis on February 29 this year has immediate and life-threatening health consequences and increases the risk of HIV transmission,” said Jaime Briz de Felipe, senior fund portfolio manager at Global Fund. “GBV is a serious violation of human rights and an affront to gender equality.”

According to available data, between January and March 2024, service providers throughout the GBV subgroup reported 1,793 incidents of sexual violence, of which 75% were sexual violence; only 25% of victims/survivors who reported GBV received medical care inside 72 hours of the event.

“The next priority is the availability of safe blood and ensuring safe blood transfusions to avoid transmission of HIV and hepatitis,” Briz de Felipe said.

Emergency funds can be used as follows:

• Prevent HIV transmission through a holistic approach to GBV that features 72-hour post-exposure prophylaxis, HIV testing and essential mating kits.
• Increase access to HIV and TB prevention, screening and referral for diagnosis and care, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV for GBV victims/survivors and internally displaced individuals (IDPs) through mobile clinics and shelters.
• Support the national blood safety program by purchasing health products for HIV prevention and screening and providing secure blood to patients.

According to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, there was a 53% increase in casualties in the primary quarter of 2024 in comparison with the previous reporting period, with roughly 2,500 people killed or injured by gang activities.

An estimated 33% of the population was exposed to violence between February 29, 2024, when gangs took control of the country, and May 24. It is estimated that greater than 578,000 people were displaced in Haiti in June, including 185,000 internally displaced people within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.

Armed attacks have targeted health facilities and pharmacies, further straining the health system. Only 20% of Port-au-Prince’s health facilities are estimated to be operational, and the State University Hospital, the country’s largest, stays closed for security reasons.

This is the second time emergency funding has been granted to Haiti. In 2021, $1 million was allocated for an emergency malaria prevention and treatment campaign in departments most affected by the devastating earthquake.

Since the Global Fund was established in 2002, a complete of $603 million has been invested within the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in Haiti. These investments also contributed to strengthening the health care system within the country.

Although the incidence of HIV stays stable, latest HIV infections decreased by 59% between 2010 and 2021, and AIDS-related deaths decreased by 72% over the identical period. In the case of tuberculosis, the incidence of the disease decreased by 18% between 2015 and 2021, however the variety of deaths during this era increased by 9.5%.

The current Global Fund HIV/TB grant goals to cut back HIV and TB transmission, morbidity and mortality on the country level over the period 2024-2026. Priorities include expanding diverse HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services through people- and community-centred approaches, in addition to improving TB screening, detection of drug-resistant TB, TB case management, contact tracing and treatment monitoring.

Achieving grant goals is hampered by the present crisis. The country faces implementation challenges, including service disruptions, limited access to gang-controlled areas, transportation difficulties as a consequence of insecurity and shortages, shortages of human resources, and increased costs of doing business.