Haiti's gang violence has created a severe healthcare crisis, especially for pregnant women like Françoise, who risk their lives to access maternity care. In Port-au-Prince, gangs control entire neighborhoods, forcing clinics to operate in abandoned schools under dangerous conditions. This photo essay reveals the stark reality of giving birth amid conflict and the urgent need for international support.
The Reality of Maternity Care in Conflict Zones
In Bel Air, a hillside neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, gangs have controlled the area since 2019. Schools are closed, electricity is cut, and food is scarce. Gunfights can erupt at any time, yet pregnant women must travel to temporary clinics set up by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to receive essential care.
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Françoise, 45, eight months pregnant, arrives early at a deserted school converted into a pop-up clinic. She has a condition that increases the risk of eclampsia, which can cause seizures and be fatal if untreated. The clinic offers Doppler ultrasounds and other services, but only a few hours a day, with light filtering through boarded-up windows and sandbags stacked to stop stray bullets.
Impact of USAID Funding Suspension
According to Human Rights Watch, the Trump administration's suspension of USAID funding in 2025 deprived about 750,000 women and girls in Haiti of healthcare access. This has exacerbated an already dire situation, leaving women to line up for hours when services are occasionally available.
Ten days before Françoise's visit, a violent clash between rival gangs killed dozens, including 10 children. Despite the risk, Françoise feels she has no choice but to travel to the clinic. "If the clinic was not there, only God knows where I would go," she says.
Comparison of Healthcare Access: Before and After Gang Violence
| Aspect | Before Gang Violence (Pre-2019) | After Gang Violence (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity clinics | Multiple permanent facilities | Few temporary pop-up clinics |
| Access to ultrasounds | Routine | Rare, limited hours |
| Funding | USAID-supported | Suspended, leading to shortages |
| Safety for patients | Relatively safe | Risk of gunfire and violence |
| Number of women served | High coverage | 750,000 women deprived of care |
Key Takeaways from the Photo Essay
- Gang violence has decimated healthcare infrastructure in Port-au-Prince.
- Pregnant women face life-threatening risks to access basic maternity services.
- MSF provides critical care but is overwhelmed by demand.
- USAID funding suspension has worsened the crisis, affecting 750,000 women.
- International intervention is urgently needed to restore healthcare access.
FAQ: Maternity Care Amid Haiti's Gang Violence
How does gang violence affect pregnant women in Haiti?
What is MSF doing to help?
How has USAID funding suspension impacted healthcare?
This photo essay underscores the urgent need for renewed international aid and safe healthcare corridors. Without it, more mothers and children will suffer preventable deaths. Support organizations like MSF that are on the ground, and advocate for policy changes to restore funding.
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