Population 1

Population:  8,326 millions
Population < 18 years:  3,853 thousands; <5 yrs: 1,127 thousands
Population annual growth rate:  1.4%
Crude birth rate:   30 per 1000
Life expectancy at birth:  50 years

Current Iodine Nutrition Situation

Despite several studies and evident ecological conditions pointing to high risk of iodine deficiency rampant in Haiti , there is lack of nationally representative data on the Iodine status (i.e., goitre, cretinism, stillbirths, urinary iodine concentration etc.) in Haiti and this is stated as the principal obstacle for initiation of national interventions to prevent them. 2

Iodized salt Coverage

Household consumed adequately iodized salt 1 : 11 % (2000).

Number of unprotected infants and population are 27,610 and 915,860 respectively.

Salt Situation Analysis

Production 2

Salt is being produced in Gonaives but the quality remains poor due to poor manufacturing practices by the small scale producers who number about 500. The organization and production of iodized salt on the large scale has never been implemented. UNICEF Haiti has supplied salt iodization equipment to some producers in the industry but there have been problems.

The total requirement of iodized salt for Haiti is approximately 39.500 tons/year. The maximum production capacity of the salt plant located in Port-au-Prince is 14 MT/day but currently using only 14% (approx. 2 MT/day) of its installed capacity to produce DFS (diethylcarbamazine - KIO 3 ). At an estimated average annual per capita consumption of salt of 3.65 kg and adjusting to an alleged 12% of salt that is already iodized (mainly imported salt), the Port-au-Prince plant would produce (4 368 MT / 26 338 MT) 16% of the total requirement.

Most locally produced salt is of very low quality, chemically and physically. In order for it to become food grade, it requires further processing.

Consumption

Households consumed adequately iodized salt was:   11% .

Universal Salt Iodization Program

Information, Education, C ommunication (IE C ) Activities

There have been limited IEC activities in Haiti. UNICEF in coordination with the MOH plans to have a national marketing campaign on iodized salt.

Legislation

USI Legislation is not available. Efforts are being made by donors to gather data for advocacy, social mobilization and legislation.

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

There has been lack of program monitoring and evaluation in Haiti. A national survey on the prevalence of IDD and vitamin A deficiencies has been conducted on December 04. The collected samples are being analyzed in US and Nicaragua laboratories.

National Coordination and Partners

Partnership has been built among partners i.e. MOH, UNICEF, USAID, WHO, CDC, WFP and local NGOs. An establishment of a national coalition is being planned.

Other Interventions, Key Lessons - no data

Challenges and Constraints 2

• The political situation in and around Gonaives has caused severe social disturbances and violent political confrontation. As consequence, communication with both Gonaives and Coridon has been difficult and sometimes impossible.

• Tropical storm Jeanne brought severe flooding to the northern coast city of Gonaives in September 04, the whole salt production was washed away, the salt production basin destroyed and most of producers lost their production capacity.

Future Plans for Sustained IDD Elimination

The following activities are planned to be implemented in 2005-06:

•  Exploration/search of new salt production sites

•  Analysis, reporting and publication of the recent survey results.

•  Formation of a National Inter-sectoral body

•  Communication, Advocacy, and Social marketing

•  Development of USI Legislation:

•  Monitoring at the port of entry and point of production

In late April 2005, WFP with the possible collaboration from FAO and Ministry of Agriculture, conduct an exploratory mission to seek community interest (in Caracol and Jaquezil) in anticipating a project aiming at increasing salt productivity and quality and eventually setting up a local salt iodization plant. Specific recommendations to develop a double track of interventions addressing salt production as well as iodization capacity are being considered by WFP, which is resolved to play a major role in bringing together the different stake holders in salt production, iodization and commercialization in Haiti and thus improve the effectiveness of international cooperation in this area.

References:

•  UNICEF. The State of the World's Children. 2005

•  Johnson, Q. Visit to Haiti Report 11-14 th April, 2005 . The Micronutrient Initiative.

•  Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency. Network E-Bulletin for June. 2005.