Overview

In Haiti, the situation of lack of adequate and sufficient logistics infrastructure prevails, which make the implementation of humanitarian assistance and development programmes even more difficult. Adequate and secure space has always been a  problem in Port-au-Prince, and even more so in the other regions of the country, especially in rural areas, where no industries or transformation plants have ever been set-up.  Storage is also a factor of challenge for contingency stocks prepositioning, in preparedness for the natural disasters at the departemental and communal levels.

The Haitian private sector is increasingly capable to offer storage spaces, some of them with proper structure and security measures. In recent years, “Airport Industrial Park” (AIP in French), a private park located close to the airport has been developed with adequate facilities and become the main logistics hub of large commercial companies in Haiti. WFP has rented a warehouse in this park. At the departements, in Cap Haitian, Gonaives and Les Cayes, you can find relative adequate private warehouses for rent, but they are not sufficient for the need.

However, in case of another emergency, the available capacity will be again insufficient. The current reception capacity could be a problem in case of large air- and sea arrivals. This has been seen during the 14 August 2021 earthquake response in Haiti.

Current port infrastructures are unable to cope with massive container arrivals. Space at container yards and handling equipment are insufficient and tracking is inadequate, which causes a delay in deliveries.

In Port-au-Prince, the confrontation of the armed gang groups also affected access to the warehouses which usually situated in the suburban areas of the capital city.

During the emergency, in order to cover the lack of storage capacity in the shortest time, Humanitarian organisations like WFP and IFRC set up Mobile Storage Units (MSUs). While the MSUs provide an immediate solution during the emergency response, they are not sustainable or suitable during times of heavy rains, tornados and hurricanes. MSUs are typically made from canvas, are difficult to secure, can be torn from the ground and blown away by heavy winds and flooded by rains. Furthermore, MSUs are not designed to be earthquake proof.  

Overall, this lack of capacity, especially in the departments, concentrates the bulk of humanitarian storage in the capital, taken into consideration of the insecurity on the road connecting capital city to the North and South, pose a great challenge for humanitarian actors to deliver the humanitarian goods quickly.

Commercial Storage

Relatively reliable commercial storage can be found only in Port-au-Prince, Gonaives and Cap Haitien. The rest of the country does not have adequate structures.

Most of the large warehouse spaces commercially available are factories converted to warehouses after the manufacture sector decreased its productions.

Warehouse management companies in Port-au-Prince are able to provide adequate services:

[1] Warehouse Type: Open storage, container, rub-hall, silo, concrete, other, unspecified

[2] Warehouse Access: Raised-siding, flat

[3] Warehouse condition: Appears intact, appears damaged, under construction/repair

Public Sector Storage

In the public sector, the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with WHO is managing PROMESS (Programme on Essential Medicines and Supplies), the National Pharmacy depot. The warehouse stores only medical equipment. Its capacity can be augmented with external storage under tents.

Haitian civil protection (DGPC in French) has adequate storage facilities in the former MINUSTAH Logistics Base and in most of departments. Humanitarian partners are encouraged to contact the DGPC for the possible usage of the space, contacts can be found in the following link: 4.1 Haiti Government Contact List

Cold Chain

A cold room of 100 sqm is available in Port-au-Prince at PROMESS, the National Pharmacy depot, which is jointly managed by the Ministry of Public Health and WHO. None of the departmental depots have cold room facilities. Some community vaccination projects have solar fridges. No adequate vehicles for cold chain supplies are available. Medicines are transported in cool boxes.

In Port-au-Prince, several warehouse management companies claimed offer cold chain storage facilities, however a assessment for cold chain supply chain facilities have not been realised.

[1] Cold Room Positive, Cold Room Negative, Refrigerator, Freezer,

[2] Compression, Absorption, Solar, Other, unspecified

For information on Haiti Storage Assessment contact details, please see the following link: 4.5 Haiti Storage Contact List