‘It’s great to see what we first developed on paper become a reality.’
Haiti is the poorest country in Latin America and one of the most fragile in the world. Switzerland has been represented by a humanitarian office in Port-au-Prince since summer 2024. The head of the office, Nina Astfalck, describes her day-to-day work.
What is your typical working day like?
I get up just before 6am, meditate and drink a cup of herbal tea on the terrace. This time in the morning is very important to me. I don't check my mobile until after breakfast, just before a chauffeur picks me up in a bulletproof car. At the office, I visit all the staff once a day to say hello to them in person. There are four expats and 18 local staff working at the office in Port-au-Prince. We have also a presence in Port-Salut for our so-called “Direct Action” which is a self-implemented project. My working day begins with emails and is filled with internal and external meetings. I keep Wednesday afternoons free for quiet work.
And what about your evenings?
My evenings are all about sport. A Haitian coach does strength training and cardio with me several times a week. That's a real highlight for me. Once a week I go to yoga, which often feels like being on holiday.
What were your first impressions when you arrived in Haiti?
I was struck by how creative and artistic Haiti is. Right at the start, I was able to attend a performance in which young people addressed the country's challenges through dance and song. That moved me deeply.
How does Haiti's fragility manifest itself in your work?
The needs in Haiti are enormous and the gap between rich and poor is vast. The state has little capacity to respond to people's situations and guarantee their rights. The security situation can change rapidly.
What is the biggest challenge?
Working with the authorities isn't always easy; state actors play an important role in our projects, but they often lack the capacity and resources to fulfil this role adequately. The capabilities of the local population, with whom we work closely, need to be adequately strengthened. Violence is widespread in various forms; social cohesion is fragile. We have to be very flexible.
Are field visits possible? Is there one that stands out in your memory?
The security situation is very tense, particularly in Port-au-Prince and in two other departments. Freedom of movement is restricted there. In the Department du Sud, regular field visits are possible. In December 2025, in a remote part of the south coast, we visited an ‘Association Villageoise d'épargne et de crédit’ – a women's village savings and credit association – together with the World Food Programme (WFP). The women gathered in the courtyard under a mango tree and sang before they began allocating and paying out loans. They kept their accounts with the utmost precision. Their dignity and resilience in difficult circumstances moved me deeply.
How much do the consequences of the natural disasters that have struck Haiti still linger?
These events are still very much present. We work mainly in the south of Haiti, which was hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and by an earthquake in 2021. Added to this is Hurricane Melissa in November 2025. My work is therefore directly linked to these events. The direct action (SDC’s self-implemented project) aims to reduce the risks posed by natural disasters and promote measures that contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources at a local level. For example, multifunctional protection spaces are being built where the population can seek refuge. It also strengthens the capacities of local civil protection committees.
Which part of your work gives you the most satisfaction?
Firstly, working with my team – we have a lot of laughs in meetings. Secondly, the project visits: it's great to see what we first developed on paper become a reality and to talk to people about how the project is benefiting them. And thirdly, the coordination and good cooperation with representatives from other offices in Port-au-Prince. I enjoy being able to represent the humanitarian office.
You want to continue working in fragile and highly fragile contexts. Why?
My motivation for working in fragile contexts is rooted in solidarity and humanitarian values. In my work, I want to find solutions together with the local people so that their situation improves. From a technical perspective, I'm interested in the complexity of working in fragile contexts. You constantly have to keep several levels in mind, and different methodological, technical and social skills are required simultaneously.
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