IDB Approves $100 Million Grant to Rebuild Haiti’s Northern Health System

The IDB’s investment is part of its broader mission to promote sustainable development and institutional resilience in the Caribbean.

In a landmark move to strengthen Haiti’s deteriorating healthcare system, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $100 million grant to help rebuild essential health services across the country’s three northern departments. The initiative aims to save lives, prevent disabilities, and restore access to primary care in a region that has suffered years of instability, underinvestment, and natural disasters.

The funding, approved by the IDB Board of Executive Directors, represents one of the most significant international health investments in Haiti in recent years. It underscores the growing urgency to reinforce public health infrastructure as the country continues to grapple with overlapping crises of violence, poverty, and displacement.

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Rebuilding from the Ground Up

The project will focus on reconstructing and modernizing healthcare facilities, strengthening hospital networks, and improving service delivery in underserved communities. The grant will fund a wide range of interventions, including:

• Upgrading medical infrastructure to meet modern standards of care.

• Expanding access to essential medical services for marginalized groups.

• Training healthcare workers to ensure continuity and quality of care.

• Implementing a digital health information system to streamline operations and strengthen data-driven decision-making.

According to the IDB, the operation will also include key health surveys and analyses to support evidence-based policymaking and guide the development of a medium-term national health investment master plan.

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Targeting Critical Health Challenges

The initiative will directly support the prevention and treatment of both noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and infectious diseases that continue to threaten Haiti’s population. This includes addressing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, while also tackling endemic diseases like cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

These diseases disproportionately affect communities with poor access to healthcare, safe water, and sanitation—conditions that have worsened amid the country’s humanitarian and security crises.

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Prioritizing Inclusion and Vulnerable Populations

A key feature of the program is its focus on social inclusion and equity. The initiative aims to ensure that internally displaced people, return migrants, vulnerable women, and people with disabilities are not left behind.

The IDB will work closely with local authorities and community groups to develop care protocols that respect patients’ cultural preferences, social conditions, and specific needs. This participatory approach is expected to empower local populations and strengthen trust in the public health system.

By focusing on inclusivity, the initiative seeks to reduce disparities in health outcomes and promote a model of care that puts people at the center of health policy.

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Building on Previous IDB Support

The project builds upon interventions carried out since 2022 through IDB-supported social protection programs, which have targeted poverty reduction and resilience in vulnerable communities. The new operation represents the first stage of a long-term commitment to rebuilding Haiti’s public health infrastructure and improving service delivery, beginning in the northern region before expanding nationwide.

It also complements ongoing IDB efforts in education, water and sanitation, and economic recovery—sectors that are all interlinked with public health outcomes.

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Long-Term Commitment and Expected Impact

The $100 million grant will be disbursed and implemented over 84 months, reflecting a sustained approach to rebuilding and stabilizing the health system. The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 750,000 people across northern Haiti, particularly in communities most affected by poverty, displacement, and limited access to care.

Indirectly, the benefits are expected to reach millions more by establishing stronger, more resilient health systems capable of responding to future emergencies and epidemics.

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A Step Toward Resilient Development

The IDB’s investment is part of its broader mission to promote sustainable development and institutional resilience in the Caribbean. By prioritizing health system reconstruction, the initiative supports Haiti’s path toward recovery and self-sufficiency.

Analysts note that the program could also help stimulate local employment, attract complementary donor funding, and improve governance in the health sector through transparent, data-driven planning.

With this operation, the IDB reaffirms its long-standing partnership with Haiti—one grounded in solidarity, human development, and a shared vision for a healthier, more equitable future.