STORIES FROM HAITI: Nicolette Bernard, Nurse & Hygiene Promoter

The panic still continues as Haitians deal with the long-term psychological impact of the earthquake. Haitian nurse Nicolette Bernard talks about the immediate devastation and why there’s still a question mark over Haiti’s future.

“I was inside my house when the earthquake stuck. It was five in the afternoon. I was in the kitchen preparing something to eat. It shook me and I panicked because I didn’t know what it was. When I went outside I realised; there was complete panic in the courtyard. I quickly realised I shouldn’t join that panic.

“After I left the house I took a second to get myself together. Outside there was a lot of dirt, like white smoke. I took the decision to bring people together in the courtyard and tell them not to panic. My professional role took over my personal experience.

“I chose to go to the closest hospital to give my help, whatever I could do. There were lots of injuries and deaths so I had to go there. When I first got to the hospital there was nothing to work with. No power, no sanitary items, no gloves, etc. At points when I wanted to place a bandage, I had to use whatever I could to clean the wounds. We organised ourselves with what we had and helped the people who were in the hospital. There were broken legs and broken arms everywhere.

“The earthquake had an immense impact on Haiti because the population didn’t expect it. The population was not prepared to deal with that kind of event, and the panic that it led to."


A year after the earthquake

“A year later there are still plenty of destroyed areas. Port-au-Prince centre was completely destroyed. To this day there is still a post-traumatic panic that has been ruling Haiti. It clearly had a massive impact. In a way, it is still a critical situation here.

“Haiti’s future is like a big question mark. We just don’t know. For now what needs to be done is helping the people who live in camps. They really need help; we can’t let them keep living in these conditions, those tents.  Some don’t have anywhere to go. Of course they need food but we need to support them for the future as well and help them find a place to live, a job, etc. They really, really need our help! It is not only in terms of daily basic needs but in a longer term perspective.”


Nicolette worked as a nurse at Sainte Croix Hospital, Port-au-Prince immediately after the earthquake. Since 11 February 2010, she has worked as a hygiene promotion coordinator for the British Red Cross, working in AutoMeca camp for internally displaced people. Nicolette undertook RedR’s Foundations of Staff Safety course from 19-20 August in Haiti.

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Photo credits: (Top Gallery) Images supplied courtesy of www.hannahmornement.com ; (Above) Nicolette Bernard

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