Haiti — COVID-19 Border Monitoring — Situation Report 7 (30-31 March 2020)

The COVID-19 outbreak first reported in the People’s Republic of China in late 2019 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 11 March 2020. As of 29 March, approximately 635,000 cases had been reported in 178 countries, areas or territories according to WHO and the neighboring country Dominican Republic already reported 901 individuals infected and 42 deaths. On 20 March the first two cases have been confirmed in Haiti and the country remains at high risk of rapid contagion given the weak health system, the proximity and porous border with Dominican Republic and the limited external connections now possible. In response, the Government of Haiti has communicated many important instructions to minimize the spread of the disease, particularly: closure of schools and factories, closure of airports and ports to passengers, banning of meetings of more than 10 people, nationwide curfew between 20:00 and 5:00 and plea for social distancing guidelines to be respected. At present, 15 cases have been confirmed in Haiti. IOM has adapted its ongoing Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) initiative along the Haiti– Dominican Republic border to support the ongoing preparedness and response. The Flow Monitoring initiative is being carried out in 50 Border Crossing Points between Haiti and the Dominican Republic: 46 unofficial points and 4 official points in collaboration with the Support Group for the Repatriated and Refugees (GARR in French), Jesuit Services to Migrants (SJM in French) and Jeannot Succès Border Network (RFJS in French).