MAY 2003 — With an estimated 1.2 million orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the country and an HIV prevalence of 7.7% of the population, the Haitian government, donors and other stakeholders have realized the importance of strengthening their interventions to reach these children.

At the time of this assessment, the Ministry of Health was involved in a strategic planning process to shape a new five-year plan for addressing this tragedy. At the same time, USAID/Haiti recognized the urgency of this issue, requested FHI/IMPACT assistance in assessing the situation.

This report is the result of the efforts of an FHI/IMPACT-fielded team which conducted meetings, interviews, a literature review and field visits over a period of two weeks in April 2000. USAID/Haiti and others used this report to inform the internal and external processes of prioritizing and designing a strategic and expanded response targeting OVC.

The report is a first step in developing a body of knowledge about OVC and their families in Haiti. It also provides information to strengthen a policy environment supportive of community-based programming.