ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As the gang violence escalates on the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s only hospital dedicated to pediatric and prenatal care is right in the line of fire.

What You Need To Know

  • Haiti’s only hospital dedicated to pediatric and prenatal care is right near the gang violence in Haiti

  • Much of the funding that goes directly to St. Damien Children's Hospital comes from the greater Rochester and Upstate New York area

  • For more information, visit the organization’s website

It’s a hospital known to many in the Greater Rochester and Upstate New York area.

“Hospitals have been under attack. Medical professionals have been subject to kidnapping,” said Jennifer Rayno of NPH USA.

The staff and patients at St. Damien Pediatric Hospital are trying to stay safe as the hospital is just a few blocks from the U.S. Embassy, where the U.S. military is beefing up security and evacuating American citizens.

“Sadly, the situation is the worst humanitarian crisis we’ve seen in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake,” said Rayno. “We have gunfire outside of the hospital on a continual basis.”

St. Damien Pediatric Hospital provides medical care for children in Haiti, most of whom live in poverty.

“We are the only center in the country that provides pediatric oncology care as well. And at this critical time for children with cancer and other chronic pathologies it’s critically important that we keep St. Damien running,” said Rayno, who leads the fundraising effort that helps St. Damien Hospital.

Much of the funding that goes directly to St. Damien comes from the greater Rochester and Upstate New York area.

“The fundraising is vital,” said Rayno. “We’re serving a population that lives below the poverty line. Eighty-percent of the population lives below the poverty line, it’s said on less than $2 a day. So we are a true charitable hospital and donations are the only thing that allow us to do our job to help the most vulnerable in the community.”

She says the currents needs are many.

“We’re in need of replenishing medicines, medical supplies, food, water and especially fuel for the generators to keep the hospital operational,” said Rayno.

Reports are that the area surrounding the hospital is largely controlled by gangs.

“I can’t emphasize enough the stress and the toll this is taking on everyone in the community,” said Rayno.

For more information, click here.