Spanish Aid to Haitian NGO Draws Scrutiny Over Sexual Health Program Components

A recent tweet by Spanish politician Pablo Cambronero has ignited debate over the allocation of Spanish taxpayer funds to the Mouvement d'Intégration pour la Promotion Social (MIPROS), a non-governmental organization operating in Haiti. Cambronero's post criticized the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID_es) for periodically funding MIPROS, highlighting specific activities such as the purchase of "half a million condoms," "7500 brochures for prevention," "pregnancy tests," and "3000 stickers." The tweet concluded with a pointed remark: "Your taxes, not returned."

MIPROS, whose mission is to ensure healthcare access for all, confirms on its website that it receives funding from Spanish agencies, including AECID and the Anesvad Foundation. The organization focuses on improving preventive and medical services in Haiti, particularly in the municipality of Ganthier, through projects aimed at promoting and protecting the right to health. These activities include educational talks on preventive health, latrine construction, and mobile clinics.

The Anesvad Foundation, another key Spanish funder for MIPROS, explicitly states its commitment to "universal access to sexual and reproductive health" for vulnerable populations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This aligns with the types of materials and services mentioned in the tweet. Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs in humanitarian and fragile settings, such as Haiti, commonly include the distribution of condoms for contraception and STI prevention, educational materials (brochures), and access to pregnancy tests. These interventions are widely recognized by international health organizations as crucial for public health, especially in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure and high rates of sexual violence or unintended pregnancies.

Haiti faces significant challenges in public health, including a high prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and a critical need for family planning services. Organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have consistently highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive SRH services, including contraception and care for survivors of sexual violence, in the country. The items listed in the tweet are standard components of such comprehensive sexual and reproductive health initiatives, aimed at preventing disease, managing fertility, and promoting overall well-being in vulnerable communities.