Such service, which already operates with irregularities because of the lack of ambulances, is affected by the inability to refuel, the authority confirmed with concern to the radio Magik 9 programme.

That sector joins others such as the sanitary, telephone, transportation and economic ones, which are suffering the consequences of the general domestic shortage, while the Government promises to reestablish the flow of fuel without any results.

The crisis which began in June, but which has lately increased, slows down the activities of the private sector and paralyzes the public institutions, which generates loss of income for the State, unable to pay its employees, economist Etzer Emile noted.

‘That situation clearly exposes the inability of authorities to manage this crucial, strategic and cross-cutting product,’ the expert criticized.

In addition to political infighting, gang control that hinders fuel distribution in the domestic market, low storage capacity and state subsidy, Emile mentioned the rise in the price of the barrel that doubled in 2020, he assured.

‘The fuel shortage increases the risk of doing business in Haiti, accelerates the poverty of Haitians and undermines economic growth, which has just recorded a consecutive negative rate for 2019, 2020 and 2021,’ the economist deemed according to the Vant Bef Info website.

The Association of Haiti’s Public Hospitals warned of the imminent closure of health care centers, while the United Nations missions in the country underscored that over 300 children, 45 pregnant women and 70 patients in need of life support could die if healthcare institutions cannot access the item.

Meanwhile, Doctors Without Borders warned that if the situation persists, the Tabarre Trauma and Burns hospital would have to reduce its activities and restrict admission criteria in the coming days; and DIGICEL, the country’s largest mobile telephone operator, reported that nearly 20 percent of its sites are dysfunctional due to fuel shortages.

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