LETTER FROM HAITI - FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL

The political crisis in Haiti has had a severe impact on the health of the population. Mortality among Haitians is 13 per 1000, much higher than the Latin American rate of seven per 1000, and the incidence of A DDS, tuberculosis, and malnourishment is increasing among children. Al though food and medicine are exempt, United Nations sanctions have had a negative impact on most of the population. In particular the embarg o on fuel has limited most people's access to health care. The difficu lties of distributing aid and health care without softening the embarg o on fuel are immense, and the health of Haitians is not likely to imp rove until the political crisis is resolved.