In the steep hills of Boucan Carré, a commune nestled in Haiti’s Centre department, whispers of a disease have grown into urgent cries for help. The diphtheria epidemic, which began quietly in the remote communities of Chico and Décidé, quickly turned into an emergency, with over 60 reported cases and five tragic deaths. In a region where health infrastructure is as scarce as drinking water, Zanmi Lasante’s community health team had no choice but to answer the call-whatever the cost.
Here, saving lives isn’t done on modern roads, but by a grueling 12-hour trek on foot or donkeyback, across dangerous terrain. Health workers, armed with vaccines, medicines and a sense of duty, have risen to the challenge. In the past, local communities would provide mules and guides free of charge to support these essential missions, or the wood needed to prepare their meals along the way (an added challenge to an already grueling task). Today, however, the cost of living means they have to pay for these services, putting further pressure on already limited resources.
For 5 days, the Zanmi Lasante team set up a mobile clinic in Décidé, offering life-saving vaccines, medicines and health education sessions. They were able to reach over 1,000 people, including vulnerable children under the age of 5. Yet every step of this mission carried the weight of logistical and emotional challenges. The donkeys carried not only medical supplies, but also the agents’ water - as precious as it was fragile. If it fell on the way, the situation became critical.
Crossing swollen rivers exposed staff to physical dangers, while the lack of roads and inadequate communications infrastructure complicated efforts. But the heaviest burden remained invisible: the mental and physical impact on the team. Many returned exhausted, the magnitude of the task and the suffering of the communities they served weighing heavily on their shoulders.
Despite these hardships, the mission carried glimmers of hope. Parents lined up to vaccinate their children, and community leaders joined the effort to raise awareness of the importance of immunization. Yet there are still many gaps. For much of this population, access to routine vaccinations remains a distant dream, limited to sporadic national campaigns or emergency interventions like this one.
Miss Guerline Guerrier, a community health nurse specialist, is at the forefront of these efforts. She and her team embody the courage needed to pursue this mission. “Every day, we risk our health and well-being because we are convinced that no one should suffer from a preventable disease. However, we can’t do it alone.”
Boucan Carré’s challenges are not unique. Throughout its areas of intervention, Zanmi Lasante continues to battle similar crises. This diphtheria epidemic is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of these communities, but also a testament to what is possible when compassion and a sense of duty fuel action.
When the team packed up their mobile clinic 5 days later, they left with more than fatigue and empty vials, but also the unshakeable conviction that all these sacrifices will not have been in vain.
With your support, we can ensure that this hope travels even further. Help us support the people of Boucan Carré. Make a donation today to help Zanmi Lasante extend its reach, replenish its stocks of essential medicines and protect the health workers who carry this mission at arm’s length.