France announced on July 30 that it is suspending all financing for the reconstruction of Haiti’s University Hospital (HUEH), commonly known as the General Hospital. French ambassador Antoine Michon said the decision was forced by the takeover of the hospital site by armed gangs in March 2024 and the overall deterioration of security in Port‑au‑Prince.
The project, launched after the 2010 earthquake, was a major cooperation effort involving the French Development Agency (AFD), USAID and the Haitian government. Work, which began in 2014 and had reached an advanced stage, was halted as contractors and technical partners withdrew due to safety concerns. France indicated it could reassess funding if security conditions improve and Haitian authorities request it.
The suspension delays the opening of a key public university hospital, affecting medical training, research and complex patient care, and adds pressure to an already strained Haitian health system.
Entities
Antoine Michon · France · French Development Agency (AFD) · Haiti · Hôpital de l'Université d'État d'Haïti (HUEH)