On Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Royal Hotel, on the occasion of World First Aid Day, the National Ambulance Center (CAN), under the leadership of its Director General, Dr. Ricardo Jean Baptiste, with the support of his office and the Director of Administration and Budget, Hansy Beethoven Joseph, organized a day of reflection, discussion, and mobilization around the theme: "Strengthening the Emergency Response Chain in Haiti for a More Resilient Emergency Management System".

This important event brought together several stakeholders involved in emergency response and strengthening the emergency response chain in Haiti, including the Ambassador of Taiwan (Republic of China) to Haiti, Cheng Hao Hu; the Minister of the Environment, Valéry Fils-Aimé; the Director General of Civil Protection, Emmanuel Pierre; the Emergency Services of the Haitian National Police (PNH); the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); the Delmas firefighters; and several representatives from the health and emergency services sectors.

Ricardo Jean Baptiste announced his intention to reorganize the CAN system across all departments to improve the reception, coordination, and processing of emergency calls. He also announced investments in medical equipment necessary to strengthen the CAN's medical system, with the aim of providing better care for people in emergency situations.

He also announced a major project to strengthen the institution's administrative infrastructure through the construction of nine CAN administrative offices across the country. This initiative is intended to improve working conditions for staff and consolidate CAN's institutional presence in various departments.

Furthermore, he expressed his deep gratitude to the ICRC for its support in strengthening CAN's operational capacity. With the support of the Ministry of Public Health, the ICRC contributed to the repair of 13 CAN ambulances, a significant step forward in improving the availability and response capacity of the ambulance network.

The day's discussions were enriched by two panels dedicated to the challenges of first aid and emergency management in Haiti. Panel 1, focusing on "First Aid in Migration Contexts" featured a presentation by Emmanuel Pierre, moderated by Dr. Jeanty Fils Exalus, who also served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Panel 2 focused on the theme "Emergencies in Haiti : Strengthening the Emergency Response Chain for a More Resilient Emergency Management System" moderated by Dr. Rose Anaëlle Pierre Jean. The panel addressed the challenges and opportunities related to strengthening emergency response in Haiti.

The day also featured the launch of the National Program for the Registration and Certification of Ambulance Companies and First Aid Training Schools, presented by Midelson Emmanuel Jr. Juste, Coordinator of the Legal Unit at CAN. This initiative aims to strengthen the sector's oversight, promote the professionalization of stakeholders, and contribute to improving the quality of first aid and emergency services available in Haiti.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre