WaterBrick Attends MPHISE summit in Haiti

December 1, 2011  (Grand’Anse, Haiti) – Wendell Adams, founder of WaterBrick International joined Dr. Michael McDonald, the Coordinator for Haiti MPHISE and the President & Executive Director of Global Health Initiatives, Inc., and numerous other teams members focusing on presenting a sustainable solution to their water filtration, water storage and overall initiative to stop the spread of the Cholera epidemic.  Numerous solutions were successfully demonstrated and well received by various local officials.  See picture of one demonstration.

The feedback from these demonstrations was reported back to the U.S. Congressional sub-committee for Haiti by Dr. McDonald on December 7, 2011 and was well received.

MPHISE and WaterBrick: Haiti Cholera Epidemic Update

January 17, 2012 (Grand’Anse, Haiti) - The cholera epidemic in the Pestel commune in Grand’Anse has produced a significant and growing number of severe Cholera cases resulting in death.  This specific cholera outbreak is concentrated in the mountain region above the town of Pestel and has gained recognition of several aid organizations.  MPHISE is currently organizing a Phase II Cholera Epidemic Management Initiative working to turn around a moribund “hospital” in Pestel.

According to Dr. Michael McDonald, “the number of people being infected has also dropped significantly along with the mild cases of diarrhea (and potential mild cholera cases), due to household water purification and safe water storage due to WaterBrick water containers.  WaterBrick water containers have a critical role to play in this element of the Phase II interventions.”

Dr. McDonald continues by saying, “Unless the Phase II Cholera Epidemic Management Initiative can be engaged sustainably country-wide, Haiti will continue to fail to manage its deadly epidemic.  Easily a million more Haitians could be infected and thousands of lives lost in the fourth, fifth, and sixth waves of the epidemic, if the same epidemic management and governance approaches that were used in the first three waves of the epidemic continue.”

Dow Chemical and WaterBrick: Helping MPHISE with Cholera Treatment Test Pilots

February 3, 2012 (Grand’Anse, Haiti) – The MPHISE Phase II Cholera Epidemic Management Initiative has recently started four new Cholera Treatment Centers in the mountainous villages above Pestel.  WaterBrick International is partnering with Dow Chemical to produce WaterBrick containers for these four villages that will be used as a model for a larger scale initiative for the entire country.   Dow will be funding resin for the test pilot to produce these WaterBrick containers and continue with our shared humanitarian efforts.

According to Joe Loeffler, the Vice President with Dow Chemical, “…we are confident that very good WaterBricks can be made from this resin to service the needs of getting clean water to areas of need.”

WaterBrick International will continue to work with Dow Chemical to support the MPHISE Phase II Initiative and stop the spread of Cholera in Haiti.

Links:

• WaterBrick Website
• MPHISE Website

The story of Haiti’s devastating January 2010 earthquake is far from over. As steady progress toward recovery continues, much of the emergency response is now transitioning to longer-term recovery. With the confirmation of a new Prime Minister in October 2011, it is hoped that one of the most significant challenges to recovery – the lack of a fully functional government – will also improve.

The task of rebuilding has been slowed by the fact that, before the quake, Haiti’s economy and public services were overwhelmingly centered in the overcrowded capital city of Port-au-Prince. The new government is pursuing an urgently-needed agenda of decentralization but it will require long-term investment in economic opportunities in rural areas.

An evolving strategy for the decongestion of camps for displaced people recognizes that many of those who remain in the camps are among the most vulnerable and have few options to find permanent housing. Efforts are underway by CARE and other aid agencies to shift the provision of services to neighborhoods in order to minimize the incentive to remain in the camps. As of the end of September 2011 an estimated 550,560 Haitians were still living in camps. This is still a huge number but represents a decrease of about two-thirds from the peak of about 1.5 million people immediately after the quake.

Other ongoing challenges to Haitians’ pursuit of a stable future include a high rate of sexual and gender-based violence and the country’s extremely weak educational infrastructure. Even before the earthquake, more than 500,000 children between the ages of 6 and 12 did not attend school. A large percentage of families relied on private schools of inconsistent quality.

The country is still grappling with the impact of a large-scale cholera outbreak, which struck in October 2010. According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Health on November 30, 2011, there have been 516,699 cholera cases and 6,942 deaths reported. While the crisis has stabilized thanks to the response of government and humanitarian agencies, Haitians now face the threat of endemic cholera, particularly during rainy seasons and in places with inadequate water and sanitation and poor public awareness of good hygiene practices.

Over the past two years since the earthquake, CARE has implemented a large-scale immediate and longer-term response thanks to many generous donors. Affected people have benefited from CARE’s work in shelter, safe water and sanitation, psychosocial support, livelihood opportunities and education. On their behalf, we offer our sincere thanks for your generosity.

CARE’s Response

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, CARE focused on meeting humanitarian needs. During the initial months we served more than 290,000 people with crucial assistance including tarps, tents, shelter kits, mattresses, blankets, kitchen sets, jerry cans, hygiene kits, safe delivery kits, newborn kits and food. From the earliest days, CARE was developing a strategy for reconstruction and sustainable development. Today, much of our earthquake response programming has shifted to this longer-term focus.

Transition to a longer-term response

CARE’s shelter team is closely aligning its strategy with the Haitian government’s priority of assisting families still living in tent camps to return to their original neighborhoods. We are placing a focus on encouraging sustainable long-term building and improved construction practices. CARE’s Neighborhoods of Return Program encourages decongestion in spontaneous camps by improving living conditions in areas of return.

CARE’s economic development programs aim to reduce dependence on emergency assistance by providing market-oriented livelihood opportunities to earthquake survivors as well as residents of communities hosting displaced people. We are supporting this objective through income-earning opportunities such as cash-for-work programs, supporting government decentralization policy and reinforcing and rehabilitating economic infrastructure. Community self-help and microfinance institutions, particularly targeting women, are encouraging savings and investment and creating a financial base for local community development.

Our education program continues to directly help affected schools close to the earthquake’s epicenter and, indirectly, schools overwhelmed by the influx of displaced children. As in our other programming, CARE’s approach is evolving to address long-term education quality, including the provision of psychosocial and teacher training, support for community engagement in schools, and capacity building of government bodies.

The evolution of CARE’s water, sanitation and hygiene programs includes helping Haitian authorities assume responsibility for joint operations that provide safe drinking water in cholera-affected communities. Likewise, in keeping with our priority of shifting services out of displaced-persons camps, most programs covering chlorinated water distribution to camps were phased out as of September 2011.

Our immediate and long-term activities in these and other areas over the two years since the earthquake are detailed in the following sections.

Shelter

The construction of permanent dwellings remains a slow process due to the concentration of Haiti’s property in a few hands and the lack of clarity of land titles. We hope the situation will improve with the recent inauguration of the Prime Minister. Nonetheless, CARE has succeeded in providing over 2,500 transitional shelters to more than 13,000 displaced people. The shelters were designed in consultation with residents to provide dignified, secure dwellings that are resistant to the elements, are intended to last for three to five years and provide the option of expansion into a more permanent dwelling. CARE experts have provided more than 300 hands-on training sessions to homeowners in modern, storm- and earthquake-resistant construction techniques.

For people in rural areas, where some households have been overstretched after taking in displaced family members and friends, CARE provided 500 home repairs. For survivors who must, for the time being, remain in makeshift shelters, we have supplied 20,000 emergency reinforcement kits, allowing them to make their temporary structures more weather resistant. The kits contain wooden panels, tarps, iron sheets, nails, metal bars, straps and instructions on making repairs. The materials are designed for reuse when families rebuild outside the camps.

Looking ahead

Poor infrastructure, including the lack of proper sidewalks and retaining walls, is an impediment to the return of displaced people to permanent neighborhoods.

To help foster the return of displaced people to established communities, in late 2011 CARE began surveying the quality of infrastructure in the densely settled Carrefour neighborhood in Port-au-Prince. We aim to create a better living environment by: empowering community-based organizations; legitimizing informal neighborhoods by reinforcing links with public institutions; developing an urban plan for the community; and improving basic living conditions in the entire neighborhood.

CARE aims to support a community of 5,000 households in southwest Carrefour as they improve their housing conditions, infrastructure and income-generating prospects. Part of our strategy will be to retrofit housing that was designated "yellow" (habitable after repairs) after the quake. A great many of these structures have been reoccupied without adequate repairs. A number of interventions, including a general awareness campaign, homeowner informational events, skilled labor training and mobile construction teams, have been designed to support better building practices.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

The ongoing threat of cholera highlights the importance of safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs. CARE began WASH interventions after the earthquake to support displaced persons, especially those living in spontaneous camps. As residents gradually continue to leave the camps to move into transitional shelters, permanent homes or with host families, the need for services inside the camps has decreased. Consequently, at 51 sites receiving WASH support from CARE at the beginning of 2011, only minimum facilities are remaining in place to address cholera response needs.

CARE recognizes, however, that many people leaving the camps face an even more precarious situation when returning to neighborhoods that lack basic services, including water and sanitation. Thus we continue to focus on transition and recovery actions aimed at helping to create necessary conditions for the displaced to return home.

Highlights of CARE’s emergency WASH activities over the past year include the ongoing delivery of chlorinated water via tankers to 10 vulnerable sites; support of water provision to cholera oral rehydration points and hand-washing stations in Léogâne; construction of 1,093 emergency latrines; and chlorination of well over 1 million cubic meters of water, reaching more than 500,000 people.

As we transition to longer-term recovery, CARE’s WASH team has completed 227 permanent shared family latrines that adjoin CARE-built transitional shelters, with another 23 latrines in the final stage of construction; built or rehabilitated 19 latrines at schools; provided water, sanitation support and public health activities at five schools; begun drilling 19 new wells and rehabilitating five existing wells at school sites, transitional settlements and rural areas; installed a pipeline in Ca Ira and the surrounding Léogâne community, serving water to 4,000 people; and worked to establish school hygiene clubs and hygiene promotion activities.

To ensure sustainability, CARE has collaborated with national and local authorities to establish 15 community water management committees.

Looking ahead

The next phase of our longer-term WASH strategy includes support for a nationwide hygiene education program in schools; the construction of water facilities at the Léogâne Maternal and Infant Medical Center; distribution of 3,000 water kits (jerry cans and buckets) to vulnerable families; piloting of low-cost household water purification systems; continued establishment of community-based water management committees on the operation and maintenance of the water systems; and training of six technicians on water system rehabilitation.

To ensure continued access to safe water supplies after the phase-out of CARE’s direct emergency provision of water, we have established a water chlorination forum in communities where CARE is active. The forum includes government water authorities and representatives from water truckers and well owners. To ensure a supply of chlorinated water as long as displaced-persons camps exist, a strategy is in place to transition from free water delivery to payment by camp residents themselves for water trucking.

Food Security, Livelihoods and Economic Development

CARE promotes economic development in areas directly affected by the quake as well as in parts of rural Haiti where survivors have sought refuge – often with extended family who can scarcely afford to support them. CARE directs some support to communities in northwestern Haiti, including Gros Morne and Bassin-Bleu, that host many displaced urbanites.

CARE’s ongoing Urban Horticulture Project is designed to assist about 100 vulnerable women living with HIV/AIDS in Gros Morne with the objective of improving income and nutrition through the production of vegetable gardens. Key activities linked to this project include training in agricultural techniques; the distribution of seeds; and educational sessions on nutrition and family planning.

Another initiative was launched for earthquake-displaced populations and host community members in Bassin-Bleu. The project included cash-for-work opportunities for some 2,800 families. Key activities included repairing 135 kilometers (km.) of agricultural feeder roads and 44 km of irrigation canals; soil conservation work to help protect repaired infrastructure; cleaning 69 km of drainage ditches; and planting 20,000 seedlings and cuttings as part of soil conservation efforts. In keeping with CARE’s policy of gender equity, 49 percent of cash-for-work participants are women. Several participants reported that they are investing income from the project in small livestock, children’s school fees and seeds for the planting season.

The Bassin-Bleu initiative completed operation at the end of August 2011. However, CARE is in discussion with the World Food Program (WFP) about the possibility of continuing food security and livelihoods programming.

Looking ahead

CARE continues our shift in economic development programming from relief-based aid to sustainable, market-oriented approaches that work to develop participants into productive, contributing members of their families, communities and the nation as a whole. As well, CARE will be launching a six-month food voucher program for 12,000 households in the Department of Grande Anse.

Expanding upon our current livelihood program, a new project team has recently launched a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program, a self-help initiative that organizes women to form their own village bank, through which members save and loan money to members to support local initiatives. Based on CARE’s successful experience with VSLA programming – dating back well before the earthquake – we are pioneering additional groups throughout the Grand Anse region and have started forming groups in communities directly affected by the quake or hosting displaced populations, such as Carrefour, Léogâne, Croix des Bouquets and Pernier. CARE is also partnering with local network providers on a telecommunications platform that provides groups a virtual "mobile wallet" to manage their savings.

Education/Psychosocial Support

CARE has supported schools in resuming and improving educational activities – a quick return to normal daily activities is vital to helping children overcome trauma. Among other support, we provided desks and chairs for 79 schools. As Haiti has gradually moved into a post-emergency stage, CARE continues to help 20 schools directly affected by the earthquake in Léogâne and 58 indirectly affected schools – serving displaced children – in the areas of Gonaïves, Gros Morne and Jérémie.Activities include teacher training and the training of adults to provide psychosocial support to children; the creation and support of community structures, such as parents’ committees; and capacity building within the government to help ensure a long-term commitment to education.

Although CARE’s post-quake psychosocial support project officially ended in July 2011, our education team continues to provide this needed service through a new self-esteem program, which places a particular emphasis on reaching the most vulnerable girls in target communities.

Since January 2010, CARE has distributed nearly 20,000 school kits – containing learning materials, notebooks, pencils, hygiene supplies and a T-shirt, packed in a nylon backpack – to students at 78 target schools. Each of these schools also received supplies such as chalk, rulers, papers and pens. In October 2011, 691 teachers received materials such as dictionaries and notebooks for lesson planning.

To increase the quality of education, CARE staff and community advisors have trained teachers on the use and creation of instructional materials. Before the reopening of schools in October 2011, we provided school directors with training on school administration skills. In total, 565 teachers and directors participated in this training, which emphasizes a student-centered learning approach.

Looking ahead

In the next quarter, CARE intends to support the creation of community-based committees that bring together parents, teachers and children to promote quality education and improve learning outcomes. The committees will be encouraged to identify specific needs relating to improved learning environments, access to education, child protection and equity. They will have access to grants to develop activities such as social events, infrastructure improvements and repairs. Training of teachers and school directors on teaching methodologies and school management will continue. The self-esteem program concentrating on girls is funded until June 2012. Other ongoing activities include interactive conferences and film presentations for students, teachers, school directors and parents, addressing the importance of girls’ education and discussing child rights – in particular Haiti’s tradition of child domestic servitude.

In the short term, CARE’s education strategy focuses on helping the government and schools adjust to the new landscape resulting from Haitian President Michel Martelly’s launch of a free education program. The initiative finances school fees, allowing 142,000 children between the ages of 6 and 12 to begin their formal schooling this year. While the program is a welcome development, it is resulting in a swelling number of students per classroom – each of the CARE partner schools, for example, received an additional 250 students, on average. Additionally, approximately 2,300 new teachers are being hired, most of them lacking basic training. We will work to address these new realities within the context of our existing educational programming and, as funding permits, with new activities.

Reproductive Health and Gender-based Violence

Addressing the health risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth is of the utmost importance in Haiti, where the maternal mortality rate was already the worst in the Western Hemisphere even before the quake. Women and girls living under close conditions with strangers in displaced-persons camps are highly vulnerable to sexual violence, which is extremely prevalent in Haiti even under normal conditions.

CARE takes an integrated approach to improving access to and quality of reproductive health services, with a particular focus on the heavily earthquake-affected areas of Léogâne and Carrefour. The project works with communities in addressing issues related to health and gender equality, in particular gender-based violence (GBV), as well as aiming to strengthen Haitian institutions to improve case management of rape and other forms of GBV.

We have supported the formation of 20 community committees in the target areas, which are now working closely with CARE to promote reproductive health and raise awareness on GBV. Key messages on subjects such as gender equality, GBV, HIV/AIDS and the importance of breastfeeding newborns are being disseminated through a variety of channels, including the distribution of T-shirts and flyers, radio broadcasts and group discussions with women and youth clubs. CARE is also distributing newborn and safe delivery kits to pregnant women and health centers, and has supplied health centers with reproductive health kits that include contraceptive pills.

CARE-supported committees are working to prevent violence and protect women and young girls in displaced-persons camps, with activities including night surveillance of camps; recording of incidents of rape in the camps; referral of rape victims to police stations and health facilities for medical follow-up; and support of legal processes to bring perpetrators to justice.

Within the past year, some of CARE’s activities in sexual and reproductive health have included: antenatal classes for more than 1,500 pregnant women; reproductive health training for 65 traditional birth attendants and 135 community peer educators; the securing of a commitment from the Carrefour police force to allocate female officers to handle rape reports; training to Ministry of Health staff on improved sexual and reproductive health services; the construction of two women’s centers and securing of land title to build two more; partnership agreement with HELP Hospital in Léogâne to build a delivery room and support free sexual and reproductive health services at the hospital; sexual and reproductive health training and supplies for more than 53,000 people; and distribution of nearly 270,000 condoms.

Looking ahead

CARE’s sexual and reproductive health and GBV prevention activities will continue until mid-February 2012. CARE is seeking funding to cover a number of areas that require ongoing support, including building capacity of community structures and health facilities to continue to provide services on their own. Other needs for this future project include family planning and post-abortion care. Despite being illegal, abortion is relatively common in Haiti. Women who seek the procedure place themselves at serious risk of debilitating complications or even death, with young girls being particularly affected.

As we continue to transition into neighborhoods and away from camps, CARE is establishing women’s community centers near camps rather than inside them, which also allows a larger population to be reached. Project activities were adapted to reflect this objective with 10 permanent centers to be built in these areas in place of the 20 temporary camp centers envisioned in the program’s initial plan. The critical services provided at these centers will support the return of displaced populations to their home communities.

An ongoing priority is to increase the proportion of hospital versus home births. Many expectant mothers are resistant to the idea of delivering in a hospital, believing that they will receive better care at home. Traditional birth attendants, fearing a loss of income, are another line of resistance. Traditional religious beliefs focus on prayers for a safe delivery, which mothers fear they will not obtain in hospitals. CARE is educating women directly about the benefits of hospital births and working with traditional birth attendants, encouraging them to accompany women to hospitals and providing financial incentives to make up for lost fees.

The Cholera Epidemic

CARE’s response to the cholera outbreak, reaching nearly 2 million people between January and November 2011, has been closely integrated with our ongoing earthquake response work. In recent months we have continued our interventions in Port-au-Prince, including in displaced-persons camps, and remained one of the few actors providing services and support in cholera-affected communities in the North-West, Upper Artibonite and Grand Anse areas. Fortunately, predicted hurricanes and the overall cyclone season (June to November) were less serious than feared and did not impose substantial risks to these cholera-prone areas.

Conclusion

Haitians have faced not only the consequences of a natural catastrophe, but a series of stumbling blocks – including a history of weak government, corruption, unenforced building codes and lack of clarity in land ownership – that have slowed the process of rebuilding. The fact that the disaster hit the heart of a densely populated capital that contained the vast majority of the country’s government and commercial infrastructure made the impact much worse. And to top it off, a cholera outbreak swept the country less than a year after the quake.

With the help of CARE and other humanitarian organizations, Haitians are making steady progress toward recovery. Some two-thirds of people left homeless by the quake have left displaced-persons camps and returned to more permanent homes. The inauguration of a long-awaited government brings the hope of more effective cooperation and rapid implementation of development policy. Reproductive health services and awareness raising are chipping away at unacceptably high rates of maternal mortality and gender-based violence. And ambitious plans for schools are a beacon for the future of a country where, even before the earthquake, far too few children had access to a quality education.

Seen in the context of how challenging recovery can be from even less deadly disasters in countries with far more resources – the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the United States, for example – the pace of Haiti’s recovery from this historic tragedy is understandable.

Haitians have gone about the task of overcoming these challenges with courage and fortitude. Their friends from around the world can be proud that they continue to stand by this brave country as it works against daunting odds to build a better future.

Michel Immacula, 23

Links:

• CARE in Haiti - Two years after the earthquake

At 5pm local time on January 12, 2010, the world turned upside down for the people of Haiti. The massive 7.0 earthquake that struck two years ago caused unimaginable destruction to Port-au-Prince and the surrounding towns, devastated Haiti’s already fragile infrastructure, and claimed over 230,000 lives.

Today, the earthquake’s impact is clear -- more than 500,000 men, women, and children still live in temporary camps, with limited access to clean water. And the deadly cholera outbreak that began in October 2010, continues to threaten the most vulnerable: young children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

International Medical Corps’ emergency response teams arrived in Haiti less than 24 hours after the earthquake hit – and we’re still there today, providing training, and helping these vulnerable communities rebuild and become self-reliant. We’re operating an innovative emergency medical care training program for doctors and nurses in Haiti, as well as helping communities prepare for the next time a disaster strikes.

We’d like to share with you our Haiti 2 Year Report that details our work on-the-ground. Please take a few moments to learn what your support has helped make possible in Haiti. You can also read testimonials from doctors, nurses and the men, women and children you have helped us reach with lifesaving care.



While Haiti’s recovery will be long, we’re confident that we – and the people of Haiti -- can meet future challenges with your support.

Thank you.

Links:

• Like us on Facebook!
• Follow us on Twitter!

1. Continue to expand rural agriculture and increase local food production.  Lambi Fund currently has 17 projects ranging from goat breeding to community farming microcredits to grain storage underway in efforts to strengthen crop outputs and local food systems in Haiti.
2. Provide technical training and capacity building to grassroots organizations so that they gain the skills needed to successfully and sustainably manage the business enterprises they are launching.
3. Build latrines and rainwater cisterns in rural communities to help stem the flow of cholera while advocating for a comprehensive and improved water management system.
4. Hire new staff and attend trainings from specialists in the field to enhance Lambi Fund’s core capacity in order to amplify programs and to work in partnership with communities on a more comprehensive and penetrating level.
5. Bring human rights to the forefront of rebuilding.  The right to shelter, food and fair wages need to be prioritized.  Once there is a respect for people’s needs, we as a global community can more effectively mobilize to deliver results.
6. Let the people of Haiti dictate their own future.  Give a voice to the poor majority and provide leaders of rural communities with opportunities for active participation in the decision-making and priority setting process for rebuilding Haiti.

Links:

• Lambi Fund's website
• Haiti Photos
• How you can help

On January 10, 2012, the Chicago Tribune published the following article, written by Dawn Turner Trice:

Though world stood still, things moving forward in Haiti

This was the email Dr. Evan Lyon sent Jan. 17, 2010, five days after Haiti's devastating earthquake:

drove past the main central park in (Port-au-Prince) where at least 50K people must be sleeping and it was almost silent.

people cooking, talking, some singing and crying.

people are kind, calm, generous to us and others. even with hundreds lying on the ground, open fractures, massive injuries of all kinds.

there are few dead bodies on the street.

stench is everywhere.

the city is changed forever

Thursday is the second anniversary of the earthquake, and Lyon returned to Haiti last week to check on patients he hopes to bring back to this country for care, to help launch a new residency program for Haitian doctors, and to mark the anniversary.

Lyon, 40, is a Harvard-trained physician and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago. He's also the medical director of the Right to Health Care Program for the international medical and social services organization Partners in Health.

When he arrived in Port-au-Prince last Friday, he headed to a hospital in Carrefour, the neighborhood that was near the epicenter of the earthquake. He was on his way to meet a 20-year-old woman whose bone cancer had metastasized.

Lyon had been working with the woman's doctors from his office in Chicago since last fall and they had asked him to explain to her why she was no longer a candidate for treatment in the United States, as her condition was terminal.

Although the woman's cancer had nothing to do with the earthquake, she and her mother had been living in a tent since the disaster.

"I'll be checking in with other patients who will be able to come to the States for care," said Lyon. "But unfortunately, this young woman isn't one of them."

On the way to the hospital, he said, the first thing that struck him was how quiet the streets of Port-au-Prince were. And that's a big difference even since September, the last time he was in the capital.

"We drove through the downtown in the middle of the city near the presidential palace and there's a massive refugee camp" around the site, said Lyon. "There are about 15,000 people in that part of town. But things are eerily quiet and it almost felt better when more was happening in the streets and there was more activity."

Tens of thousands of people lost their lives in the earthquake, and about 1.5 million were displaced. About 500,000 still live in temporary housing, according to Partners In Health.

Lyon said that though most of the residents have moved out of the capital and into long-term settlement camps, he fears that some people may not have immediate access to health care or other services.

"There's been more engagement, more work and, in some ways, more progress over the last two years than in years before," he told me. "But it still doesn't come close to meeting the size of the need."

As he rode through the city, he said that though the main roads have been cleared of debris and makeshift tents, none of the buildings housing the ministries of health and interior or the Supreme Court have been rebuilt. The landscape has gaping holes and, for miles, bears little resemblance to the Haiti he remembers back when he first arrived in 1996 as a music teacher.

Much work remains in Haiti, including stemming a cholera epidemic that began in October 2010, and continues with about 600 new cases a day. Lyon has been working with a human rights organization that's investigating the cause of the epidemic, which, as of Dec. 25, had killed at least 7,001 Haitians, according to the Haitian Ministry of Health.

Despite all of this, there are signs of hope.

Lyon said one example is a new residency program that was launched this week at a hospital Partners In Health runs with its Haitian sister organization Zanmi Lasante in St. Marc, about 50 miles north of Port-au-Prince.

"Of all the work that needs to be done here, this is entirely optimistic," Lyon said.

He said the program will teach Haitian doctors how to be family practice physicians.

As part of the program, Lyon and other physicians will conduct classes over the Internet and travel to Haiti to teach. The University of Chicago also will start a one- to two-year fellowship in which trained doctors will work and teach in Haiti for about six months a year.

"Two years after the complete destruction of the main hospital and medical school, we're making progress, although it never feels fast enough," he said. "Within a year, a new national teaching hospital (built by Partners in Health and Haiti's Ministry of Health) will open. It's a nice way to think about the anniversary. Despite the many challenges ahead, we're moving forward."

2012 is almost here and we would like to take a moment to thank you for supporting our emergency response and long-term capacity building in Haiti.

This year with the help of our amazing supporters, we were able to continue our relief efforts in Haiti and around the world, as well as respond to crises in Libya, East Africa, and Japan. You can see for yourself --click on the video below and hear firsthand from our staff on the frontlines, working in some of the most unstable and dangerous regions of the world.



And as we look to the future, we hope we can count on your support again.

Your generosity was crucial during our initial emergency response and it’s just as important now, as we work to help these devastated communities rebuild and recover. Please considering making a donation or using your new GlobalGiving gift card to help our rebuilding efforts.

Your donation will help us start 2012 strong!

On behalf of all of at International Medical Corps, thank you for your support.

Links:

• Like us on Facebook!
• Follow us on Twitter!

Since the Haiti earthquake, WaterBrick was focused on helping with the immediate needs.  We are excited about helping in a more sustainable way now.  We are partnering with MPhise (http://haiti.mphise.net/) and We Advance (http://weadvance.org/) along with our partnership with Dow Chemical (see Dow Partner Report link attached) to assist in a larger initiative of water sustainability as MPhise states "the mission of the Water Working Group is to provide potable water to Haiti in a manner that will reduce, and eventually largely eradicate water-borne disease in Haiti".

But fighting disease is more than just fighting it at the water source.  Helping to provide basic housing to the nearly 1 million displaced Haitians also helps with disease and other social injustices.  As Mphise said on their site, "We heard testimonies of the many diseases contracted by people living under tarps, of the pain of women suffering from all kinds of violence, and of children who cannot attend school or plan for their futures in these conditions. We see how the planned camps (like Corail) have become hell and do not offer conditions within which life can flourish."  To read more on their report, click on the MPhise Report link attached.

WaterBrick is working on the final development to provide a 10 foot by 12 foot house in a box that meets the needs of the Haitian people.  We will provide more once this is finalized.

In the meantime, I am leaving for Haiti Friday November 25th for 5 days to participate in a Water Initiative project with MPhise and in a demonstration for the United Nations.  We will provide a better update on this as we have more to report.

If you'd like to help in more ways that just in donations, help comes in many forms.  E-mail us your thoughts at info@waterbrick.org.

Links:

• MPhise Report
• Dow Partner Report

On September 30, 2011, the popular radio program Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen (ENDK), or “News You Can Use,” produced its 450^th program. Due to its widespread success and popularity, the program is still being broadcast for free on more than 30 radio stations in Port au Prince and the provinces.  Described by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as the “backbone of the humanitarian information operation of Haiti,” ENDK has been instrumental in providing critical information for the Haitian population that is based on their information wants and needs. While the program continues to have a strong public health and disaster alert component, it is steadily working towards a broader focus on recovery, reconstruction, development and civic education topics. With the support of funding from the Office of Transitional Initiatives (OTI), Internews and ENDK are contributing to media capacity building by intensive training and coaching exchanges with 15 partner media who will continue to produce such content in an ENDK type format beyond the current OTI grant.  Internews is committed to ensuring that programs like ENDK become self-sustainable and continue to provide vital and life-saving information.

In addition to supporting the radio program and training local journalists, Internews is also supporting a team of 19 Haitian researchers to develop the first independent Haitian research firm BRESI.  Internews originally formed a team of Haitian researchers to conduct research on the access to and use of the media by Haiti’s earthquake affected population and most importantly its information needs.  The idea was that this information would feed into ENDK programming to ensure that it was responsive to the affected populations’ information needs.  In recognition of the important work conducted by this outstanding team of researchers, OTI supported Internews-Haiti’s goal of helping the team develop into an independent research firm capable of operating to international standards.  The bi-monthly reports put out by the team are widely circulated among other NGOs, the Haitian government and other key actors, showcasing the tremendous capacity of the team to execute high quality research.   

Thank you for your continued support of humanitarian news and information in Haiti.

The Lambi Fund of Haiti just released its 2010 Annual Report.  Your support on the project "Lambi Fund Emergency and Long Term Relief" played a pivotal role in our response after the earthquake.  Click here to download the report to read how Lambi Fund mobilized grassroots organizations, pooled resources, and launched a strategic response post-earthquake to provide relief and to begin rebuilding in Haiti.

Be sure to take a look at the section titled "Looking Forward," which will give you a detailed description of Lambi Fund's strategy for rebuilding and looking towards the future in Haiti.

Most importantly, thank you for your kind generosity after the earthquake!  Your support has helped communities throughout Haiti regain their footing.

Links:

• Lambi Fund website
• 2010 Annual Report
• Haiti Resources

VIDA is continuing to support grassroots efforts to bring medical care to the poorest and worst-affected areas of Haiti. 

VIDA supported supported the second trip of a medical team headed by Haitian born physician, Alix J.Magloire who is the Chief of Medicine at the Oakland Veterans Administration Clinic. Dr. Magloire, and two other Haitian born physicians are working at a healthcare center in Cayes Jacmal. They are treating people for infectious diseases such as malaria, gastrointestinal disease, cardiac, metabolic diseases and orthopedic issues. Infectious diseases run rampant due to poor infrastructure and clean water. The doctors brough additional endoscopy, ultrasound, anesthesia, ECG and dialysis machines on their visit.

VIDA also support a local women's group which travel to Haiti in September.  They brought over 30 suitcases of medical supplies to benefit an orphonage in Port au Prince

Our efforts continue to evolve and will be long term.

GlobalGiving has announced an amazing opportunity and we need your help to make it happen! 

Starting at October 19, 12:01 am EDT, GlobalGiving will match 30% of all online donations up to $1,000 per donor until the end of the day or when funds run out.  In addition, GlobalGiving is offering a $1,000 bonus to the project that raises the most that day and a $1,000 bonus to the project that receives donations from the most individual donors. 

Think about it: your gift of $40 becomes $52… $100 becomes $130…. $400 becomes $520…

But funds will run out quickly and we need you to act fast on October 19 to take advantage of this match before it’s too late. 

With your support for Provide Medical Care to Haiti, International Medical Corps has:

• Quickly mobilized to treat patients through 24-hour cholera treatment centers.
• Improved emergency response through training nurses, doctors, and community members on cholera prevention, emergency action, and psychological support.

In the past, your support has meant so much to countless men, women, and children in need.  Now, you can give knowing that your donation will go 30% further and that 92 cents of every dollar you give goes to program-related activities.

Please – act soon and your donation could save lives. 

Thank you.  We know we can count on your support.

Links:

• Follow us on Twitter!
• Like us on Facebook!

GlobalGiving’s partner organizations continue to make a positive impact for the long term construction of the country by continuing to provide medical care, food, and shelter, as well as engaging in the construction of schools.  Below is a short update of the activities of some of the organizations that your donations have helped support:

Architecture for Humanity continues to progress in the building of schools and community centers.  The Santo Community Development Plan, with Habitat for Humanity International, moves into its third phase of planning a fully-serviced development for 500 families. The school, École La Dignité, has completed foundation; slabs and walls are now going up.  Meanwhile, builders are being trained in safer building practices as foundations are being dug.

Deep Springs International has partnered with local leaders and health agents, as well as large-scale actors like UNICEF and DINEPA (the Haitian government’s Directorate of Water and Sanitation). The partnership with DINEPA aims to provide 260,000 families, or over 1.2 million individuals, with Gadyen Dlo, DSI’s locally produced chlorine product. 

VIDA has supported a medical team (headed by Haitian born physician, Alix J.Magloire, Chief of Medicine at the Oakland Veterans Administration Clinic) working at a healthcare center in Cayes Jacmal. They are treating people for infectious diseases such as malaria, gastrointestinal disease, cardiac, metabolic diseases and orthopedic issues. Infectious diseases continue to be widespread due to poor infrastructure and clean water.

The Lambi Fund of Haiti is engaged in eight new projects are starting throughout the country that will strengthen communities and create important means for sustainable incomes. One project is a sheep breeding project for which 44 sheep will be purchased to start breeding and workshops for training in sheep farming will be provided.

Save the Children has more staff in place, with an estimate of 430 national and international staff present in Haiti at the end of the year. Save the Children aims to take advantage of this opportunity to better coordinate programs and support services provided as part of the earthquake relief effort.

Thank you again for your continued support to Haiti’s rebuilding efforts.

Long-term impact requires strong partnerships at all levels.  DSI has always focused on identifying existing strengths and collaborating with local partners.  Our recent activities have led to close partnerships with large-scale actors like UNICEF and DINEPA (the Haitian government’s Directorate of Water and Sanitation) as well as local community leaders, health agents, and vendors.  DINEPA has established a goal of providing all families in rural areas with access to an approved, affordable chlorine product to treat their water at the household level.  Gadyen Dlo, DSI’s locally produced chlorine product, is the product of choice for the third phase of DINEPA’s chlorine distributions.  Our partnership aims to provide 260,000 families, or over 1.2 million individuals, with Gadyen Dlo.

To accomplish the initial distributions, DINEPA is mobilizing local community leaders that will be trained by DSI agents and will distribute Gadyen Dlo in their communities.  This will simultaneously help DINEPA reach their goal of providing safe water and allow DSI to reach its goal of increased coverage of Gadyen Dlo.  The first distributions took place in the northwest department in late August, as shown in the pictures.  In the future, it is expected that these local leaders will also gain opportunities to generate income through ongoing sales of Gadyen Dlo.  We are working on a strategy that focuses on promoting household chlorination through a combination of mass media, community events, and one-on-one household visits.  In the coming months, your support will be targeted toward ensuring that families who obtain Gadyen Dlo through the DINEPA distributions receive messages about the importance of ongoing household water treatment and information about where it is available.

Training on how to use Gadyen Dlo

Dear friend,

Last week, as Tropical Storm Emily threatened to cause widespread flooding and landslides in the Caribbean, our team in Haiti sprung into action to prepare our cholera treatment centers for an increase in cases. 

Haiti’s topography is prone to both flooding and landslides – perfect conditions for the spread of water-borne diseases like cholera. Flash floods are possible in low-lying areas, such as Gonaives and Carrefour, while strong winds can destroy tents and unstable structures, such as those found in the camps where people are still living.

As the storm approached, Sean Casey, our Haiti Country Director explained: “We are very concerned that heavy flooding will occur as a result of Emily, which will likely lead to a dramatic increase in the spread of cholera.  We are preparing all of our cholera treatment facilities and pre-positioning medicines and supplies so that we can continue to treat our most severe patients and to prepare for a likely increase in cases after the storm.”

In Les Cayes, International Medical Corps relocated 27 severe cholera patients out of our tented cholera treatment center into a safe, permanent structure, where they could continue to receive 24-hour care and be protected from the storm.  Our team also pre-positioned an emergency room physician at Port-au-Prince’s University Hospital to prepare for the possibility of an increased patient load.  They reinforced tents and other temporary structures, stocked our facilities with medicines and supplies, and ensured that vehicles and generators were fueled and ready.

Thankfully, Emily did not directly impact Haiti; there were strong winds and rains to the south but no damage to our program sites.  However, heavy rains will likely drive an increase in cholera cases, and with your support, International Medical Corps is ready to respond and meet an increased caseload.  Our staff remains on the ground in Haiti more than 18 months after the earthquake, helping to support and rebuild the country’s fragile healthcare infrastructure and provide ongoing treatment.  Thank you.

Links:

• Learn more about our lifesaving work in Haiti!

First - thank you to all who support us!

In addition to our earlier efforts VIDA has collaborated with our San Diego based partner PCI to send four shipments a year to their clinic in Haiti serving some of the poorest, worst-affected and most densely populated areas of urban Port au Prince, specifically: Fort National, Belair, Nazon and Avenue Poupelard, and Croix Deprez.

Recently VIDA supported a medical team headed by Haitian born physician, Alix J.Magloire who is the Chief of Medicine at the Oakland Veterans Administration Clinic. Dr. Magloire, and two other Haitian born physicians are working at a healthcare center in Cayes Jacmal. They are treating people for infectious diseases such as malaria, gastrointestinal disease, cardiac, metabolic diseases and orthopedic issues. Infectious diseases run rampant due to poor infrastructure and clean water.

Our fist shipment with PCI included several endoscopy, ultrasound, anesthesia, ECG and dialysis machines in preparation of their visit.

Our efforts continue to evolve and will be long term.

It’s been just over a year and a half since the earthquake.  This means that the Lambi Fund of Haiti has fully transitioned into long-term rebuilding mode.  Eight new projects are starting throughout the country that will strengthen communities and create important means for sustainable incomes.

One such project is a sheep breeding project in Sothern Haiti.  The Bedo Peasants Together organization (TKB) wants to raise and breed sheep in an effort to increase incomes for its members.  In all 44 sheep will be purchased to start breeding.  Training in sheep farming, veterinary care and on the importance of caring for the environment while raising animals will be provided in a series of workshops – which will ensure members are trained to manage the project for long-term success. 

Your continued support for long-term rebuilding efforts in Haiti make small business enterprises like this one possible!   The sheep will be purchased and sufficient training on sheep care and management will be administered thanks to donations like yours.  An easy way to continue to make rebuilding in Haiti possible is to lend your support by sharing this project with friends and family members.  The more we rally together, the more we can help a community organization like TKB get their development project off the ground.

Links:

• Lambi Fund website
• Haiti Resources
• Blog

The earthquake had a profound impact for Save the Children, which has worked continuously in Haiti since 1978.  On the afternoon of the disaster, we had approximately 160 national and international staff conducting development programs in health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, education, child protection and emergency relief during Haiti’s frequent floods and storms. The urgent needs created by the earthquake required Save the Children to quickly initiate what became our largest humanitarian aid mission to date in the Western Hemisphere. By June 2010, there were some 1,200 staff, the vast majority of whom were working on relief and recovery programs.

As of June 2011, our Haitian staff numbered 757. While some will be leaving the agency as grant-funded programs end, there will be approximately 430 national and international staff at the end of this year—more than double the number prior to the earthquake.

Save the Children’s reach has also grown.  In 2009, some 1.6 million Haitians directly or indirectly benefited from our work. In 2010, with much of our attention focused on the earthquake, we reached 2.1 million children and adults through earthquake relief; relief for those affected by a late-season tropical storm; responses to the cholera epidemic; and through development programs that were restarted. We are also now in the second year of a five-year earthquake recovery initiative focusing on education, health, nutrition and child protection to benefit 1 million children and adults. 

With more staff in place, Save the Children seeks to take advantage of this opportunity and provide training to improve the effectiveness of our programs and the required support services and increasingly nationalize our workforce.  This not only addresses the very real needs of our Haitian staff today in terms of building their skills and leadership, but reflects Save the Children’s global commitment to sustainability, local participation and the long-term development of civil societies by creating talent pools of trained and skilled national staff wherever we work.

Links:

• Visit our website to learn more

It is absolutely crucial to work with humanitarian agencies on the ground in Haiti that can assist with distribution.  Convoy of Hope is yet another humanitarian partner to help us in Haiti.  We will provide more pictures as we receive them back from the field.

There is also still a huge need for bleach as they continue to fight cholera and it will be an ongoing battle for years to come.  The need for clean drinking containers continues as well as they have to retrieve and store water as the standard tap we are accustomed to is not an option.

We thank you for your continued support.  Any help you can still provide, including telling friends about our work, would be greatly appreciated.

Links:

• Our FaceBook Fan Page
• Our Website
• Convoy of Hope Website

Heavy rains pelting Haiti in early June triggered flash floods and mudslides, leading to the deaths of at least 25 people. The rains came just a week into the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season on June 1, and demonstrate the severe devastation this hurricane season is likely to bring.

Haiti is still reeling from last year’s earthquake, which displaced millions, killed hundreds of thousands and severely damaged the country’s infrastructure. Millions still live in displacement camps, with nothing more than plastic tents to serve as shelter from the torrential rains. Dozens had to be evacuated as their camps flooded.

These rains and the upcoming hurricane season are also likely to worsen the cholera epidemic in the country, which has already affected 321,066 people and killed 5,337. Cholera is a water-borne disease caused by bacteria that breeds in dirty, standstill water, which in the aftermath of the rains blankets many of Haiti’s displacement camps.

MADRE has been working with KOFAVIV, a local Haitian grassroots women’s organization before and since last year’s earthquake. A few days ago, they updated us on the situation on the ground, calling it “critical” and reporting that many KOFAVIV agents living in the camps have lost their homes in the flooding.

The rains have subsided for now, but as we look ahead to the devastation that this hurricane season may yet bring, it is important that we support relief efforts that include women and listen to their demands. As pillars of their communities, women know how best to rebuild. And as they continue their tireless work to rebuild neighborhoods and deliver lifesaving aid a year and a half after the earthquake hit, no one is better prepared to spring into action when the next disaster strikes.

Links:

• KOFAVIV
• It's Hurricane Season Again, But This Time It Can Be Different

This month, June 2011,  VIDA is currently supporting a medical team headed by Haitian born physician, Alix J.Magloire who is the Chief of Medicine at the Oakland Veterans Administration Clinic. Dr. Magloire, and two other Haitian born physicians will spend fifteen days at a healthcare center in Cayes Jacmal. The clinic has eight observation beds, urgent care unit, and six operating rooms. They are treating people for infectious diseases such as malaria, gastro intestinal disease, cardiac, metabolic diseases and orthopedic issues. Infectious diseases run rampant due to poor infrastructure and clean water.

VIDA has provided multiple small shipments of equipment that the doctors bring with them on their visit. Shipments have included several endoscopy, ultrasound, anesthesia, ECG and dialysis machines.

GlobalGiving’s second Bonus Day of the year is coming up and this gives donors a chance to magnify their support!  On June 15th, GlobalGiving.org will be matching all donations at 30% up to $1,000 per donor per project while funds last. There will be $75,000 available in matching funds.

Please help us support our work in Haiti by donating on June 15!

Thank you!

The construction of this new hospital in Mirebalais, Haiti, will bring to bear all that Partners In Health and Zanmi Lasante have learned over the past 25 years about hospital design that serves health care delivery, provides a dignified setting for patients in very poor settings, and allows health professionals to train and develop new skills. Workers broke ground on the facility on July 3, 2010. When completed it will house 320 beds, serve an estimated 450 - 500 patients a day, and help to train Haiti's next generation of doctors, nurses and medical workers.

*******

September 2011 Update:

Wiring moving along quickly, hospital to have power in late September

Work is moving along quickly at the Mirebalais National Teaching Hospital. Hurricane Irene passed by with little more disturbance than rain luckily. The electrical crew has arrived and is making impressive progress.

Wiring in major parts of the new facility is now in place.

This week the crew completed running conduit and pulling wire in the Outpatient, Women’s Clinic, Community Health, Endoscopy and Pharmacy buildings. Furthermore, they have finished the Main Electrical Room switchgear in building 4.1 (mechanical, kitchen and laundry) and have begun running conduit and installing panel boxes in building 2.1 (labor and delivery).

All this was done in less than three weeks. Also, thanks to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) we will have permanent power to the site within 10 days!

The wall tile in the kitchen is complete and the crew can now start on the floor tile. Once the tile is complete, they will be able to start installing cabinetry and equipment. The tile work is almost complete in multiple bathrooms, including those of Outpatient, Women’s Clinic and Community Health.

In late August, Paul Farmer made a visit to the site. This was a very exciting day for everyone as they were happy to be able to show him the progress that has been made. 

With tiles up, the walls begin to look more like a hospital.

Links:

• Click here for thelatest news about Mirebalais Teaching Hospital

“This is not a marketplace, this is a piece of art,” said the President of the Republic of Haiti, Michele Martelly in regard to the Savané Pistache Market in Carrefour-Feuilles, Port-au-Prince.

The Savané Pistache market was inaugurated today at an event hosted by CHF International, the implementers of the project. With President Martelly, Kenneth H. Merten, the US Ambassador in Haiti; Yves Muscadin Jason, Mayor of Port-au-Prince; Alberto Wilde, Country Director of CHF International Haiti; Claude Pierre-Louise, Executive Director of SOGEBANK Foundation, Henry Morand, United Nations Development Program Representative; and Eliana Nicoloni, Project Initiator partook in the inauguration. The event also welcomed hundreds of Savané Pistache Market vendors and community members.

President Martelly began his visit by touring the grounds of the multi-level, handicap accessible market. Weaving through the pavilions painted in bright, primary colors, Mr. Wilde impressed upon President Martelly the environmentally-friendly elements of the market; including, an on-site rainwater harvesting system and links to the UNDP-funded recycling program. 

The President gazed at the rich frescoes that flank the walkways of the open-air, 5,000 square meter market.  The frescoes were painted by graduates of the National Art School and members of the local community. Prizes for the best fresco painting were awarded during the inauguration.

The marketplace was handed over by CHF to the Municipality of Port-au-Prince and COMASAP, an association of 300 members representing the needs of the Savané Pistache community.

A year and a half after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the effects of the damage are still being felt.  Immediate relief emergency activities are winding down, and organizations supported through your donation to the GlobalGiving Haiti fund are investing more in their long-term rebuilding efforts in the country. From injury rehabilitation centers to infrastructure rebuilding, these organizations are working to improve conditions for all those affected in the country.  And they are having an impact of the lives of many.

Roselette Dupervil, 23, is one of those impacted by your donation.  Roselette had always dreamed of becoming a civil engineer, but never had the opportunity to pursue these studies.  After the earthquake she heard about a program that CHF International was running to train Haitians in earthquake-affected areas to operate heavy machinery.  Roselette joined the program and is now the only female operator on a construction team removing the rubble that still remains throughout the country.  

“I love being on my engine and working,” says Roselette. “What I love most is land boring to make roads, making the openings. I get a great feeling of satisfaction when they give me a plan to go bore a way through the foot of a mountain.  It is difficult work with a mountain that has a lot of cliffs, but one has to do it.”

From providing medical supplies to preparing for the upcoming hurricane season, the organizations that your donation helped support are working hard to rebuild Haiti.  Below is a short update about some of these activities:

Deep Springs International is currently serving over 40,000 families by giving chlorine to purify their water. Through this work they are providing jobs for over 260 Haitians and helping to curb the cholera outbreak.

International Medical Corps is preparing for the upcoming hurricane season by training doctors and nurses, holding disaster drills at local hospitals, employing the “train the trainer” to spread emergency response information to churches, schools, and community members. They are also fighting the cholera outbreak by operating cholera treatment centers.

The Lambi Fund of Haiti is implementing the use of the oxen plowing system with local Haitian peasant farmers to improve crop seasons.

Save the Children is constructing safer school for Haitian children that are more hurricane and earthquake resistant. These buildings are the first of their kind and will better protect the children who learn within their walls.

VIDA is planning a three-year program to annually ship medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in Haiti. They are also supporting Haitian physicians who are running a clinic that serves about 3,000 people.

MADRE is working with its local partner KOFAVIV, which runs a women’s center for rape victims. Sexual violence is on the rise in displacement camps where many earthquake survivors currently live.  The KOFAVIV center provides counseling to help these women recover.

International Medical Corps

Deep Springs International

The effects of the earthquake are still being felt over a year later.  DSI’s model of locally driven social enterprises has shown itself to be both scalable and sustainable.  The past year has allowed us many opportunities to enter new communities, forge partnerships with institutions which will be fighting unsafe water for years to come, and learn lessons about how best to make our efforts sustainable.  Despite fluctuations in aid that has been available to communities we serve, our Haitian agents have continued providing access to safe water.

Our current programs serve over 40,000 families with chlorine on an ongoing basis.  Not only do our efforts save lives, but the increased operations have provided jobs for over 260 Haitians to produce and distribute bottles of chlorine.  In order to sustain these economic opportunities and make continued health impact, it is critical that local agents promote healthy behaviors and use of chlorine to treat drinking water.  Your support is greatly appreciated as we empower these agents to strive for change that will become a part of daily life for rural Haitian families. 

Links:

• www.deepspringsinternational.org
• Using technology to monitor our impact

Dear supporter,

As you know, while it’s impossible to prevent natural disasters, careful planning and preparation can greatly reduce their impact.  It’s the same reason that we practice fire drills in school: when there is an emergency, we know we’re ready. 

With hurricane season approaching, we’ve been partnering with the government, local doctors and nurses, and communities to ensure that they too will be ready.

Here are just a few ways in which we’re improving emergency response:

• At the University Hospital in Port-au-Prince, we’re training 100 nurses and 50 doctors on Emergency Medicine.  The month-long course will prepare them to work in a hospital emergency department. 
• Additionally, International Medical Corps has held disaster drills at the three district hospitals of Jacmel, Mirogoane, and Petit Goave.
• Using a “train-the-trainer” curriculum, we’ve taught hundreds of first-responders on disaster response. These individuals have provided this training to others, helping to educate schools, churches, and communities on emergency response.
• Cholera prevention is a crucial aspect of disaster preparedness in Haiti.  Our 7 cholera treatment centers have treated thousands of patients since the initial outbreak in 2010.  In addition, our trained community health volunteers are promoting key health education messages, including cholera prevention, within their own communities. 
• In addition, we’ve carried out an Essential Trauma Care course in Jacmel to provide training for physicians and nurses. 

Our commitment to Haiti is long-term; we plan to help build a sustainable health system that can withstand myriad emergencies.  Your generosity has made our work possible – thank you.

All the best,

International Medical Corps

It is an important time of year in Haiti – its planting season.  Lambi Fund members throughout Haiti are gearing up to plant crops and maximize the use of their land.  Thanks to invaluable support by donors like you, these Haitian farmers are ready to utilize numerous improve agriculture methods.  For instance, ROJETAT is excited to utilize the use of ox-plows to cultivate and prepare their land.  Newly purchased oxen and a plow will help these members plow their fields in a timely and efficient manner.  Previous years’ planting seasons have been a stressful and back-breaking time for Haitians who were left to plow their fields by hand using hoes.  The introduction of an ox-plow service is quickly making this tough reality a thing of the past!

Help continue to support Haitian peasants like members of ROJETAT as they strive for improved methods to cultivate their fields and increase crop outputs.  Empowering entire communities towards greater self-sufficiency and food security is an investment well made. 

Links:

• Lambi Fund website
• Haiti Stats
• Haiti Photos

Raising the quality of education and constructing safer schools for Haiti's children are at the center of Save the Children's plans for creating lasting change.

The Institut Abellard in Léogâne is a model of innovative construction techniques that make the school structure more hurricane and earthquake-resistant and therefore safer for the children who learn within its walls.  This school is the first of its kind and serves as an example of best practices of design and construction.  The techniques have been studied by both private builders and non-governmental organizations as a prototype for building other schools around the country.

Attached please find Save the Children's most recent report on education and school construction programs in Haiti.

Links:

• Learn more about Save the Children's work in Haiti

• Haiti_Education_Newsletter_201104.pdf (PDF)
  

WaterBrick containers continue to be distributed to other remote areas of Haiti to families in dire need.  WaterBricks, now used by families as their portable pantries, are being distributed by not only  the Love A Child Foundation, but also by World Vision and Partners in Health.   The picture here shows our WaterBrick container being used to collect water at one of their well sites.  Continuing to distribute WaterBricks for clean water and food storage while providing bleach for sanitation, is key in helping Haiti recover from not only its devastation, but also its current outbreak of cholera.

The BBC reported in March, that the cholera outbreak is said to be far worse than was originally predicted and that it will take far longer to control.  In fact, "latest figures show there have been 252,640 cases and 4,672 deaths.”  A spokesman for the World Health Organization said, “We really need to reconstruct water and sanitation systems for the cholera epidemic to go away completely.  It's a long-term process and cholera is going to be around for a number of years yet."  But the researchers say thousands of lives could be saved by provision of clean water, vaccination and expanded access to antibiotics.

 Your continued support is greatly appreciated.  If you have any questions and would like to contact us directly, e-mail us at info@waterbrick.org or call us at 877-420-9283.

Links:

• WaterBrick Facebook Fan Page

Ever since she was a little girl, Germaine Fils-Aime, now 31, dreamed of driving one of the big construction machines. But, she was only able to study pastry making and soon was married and had two children.

It was actually Germaine’s husband who heard of the program to train heavy machinery operators and told her about it. This program was set up through a partnership between Haytrack, Caterpillar’s authorized dealer in Haiti, and CHF International which with USAID funds was implementing workforce development programs in Haiti.

“My husband told me about the initiative and encouraged me to take the course,” said Germaine. Her family was also very encouraging.

“The day I got the entry exam results and I saw that I succeed I was so happy and proud. Most women study things like secretarial jobs but I wanted to make a difference and learn how to pilot one of these heavy machineries,” explains Germaine.

Roselette Dupervil, 23, had dreamed of becoming a civil engineer but never had the opportunity to study this. When she heard about the Haytrack-CHF training she decided to join since it was in the same domain.

Roselette says that her male colleagues accepted the female trainees and anyway “the women were much more intelligent than the men in the course,” she says smiling.

Both Germaine and Roselette are now operating heavy machinery for construction companies in Haiti. Both are the only female operators where they work. “My colleagues respect my work and appreciate and respect me a lot especially since I am the only female on the team,” says Roselette.

“I am the only female working in the heavy machinery,” says Germaine, “the other women work in more feminine sections of the company.”

Both Germaine’s and Roselette’s family are proud of their work. “My husband shows off about his wife being an operator,” says Germaine laughing.

“I love being on my engine and working,” says Roselette. “What I love most is land boring to make roads, making the openings. I get a great feeling of satisfaction when they give me a plan to go bore a way through the foot of a mountain,” nods Roselette. “It is difficult work with a mountain that has a lot of cliffs, but one has to do it.”

“What I love,” says Germaine, “is when I’m at a worksite and I have to fill up all the trucks that line up. You know, all the boys look at me doing a truly professional job and I love that a lot.”

“I would be extremely proud to see my daughter enter the same profession as me,” adds Germaine speaking of her seven-year old daughter. She thinks that more women should enter this profession and thus, “prove that they can work as hard as any man.” Looking at her daughter, Germaine says, “I am sure she will be successful – but of course,” she adds, “it is up to her to decide what she wants to be in the future.”

“I still dream of becoming a civil engineer,” says Roselette. “But I adore this work and I now dream of becoming the best operator and being a professional that works with all her heart.”

In the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, VIDA quickly responded by airlifting two containers carrying $2.0 million in medical emergency relief into Haiti's triage supply chain. This was made possible by the generous support of Global Giving members. VIDA is now focusing on rebuilding the long-term healthcare delivery systems in Haiti's remote communities and assisting a physician’s group who is making quarterly visits to Haiti to support a clinic in Cayes Jacmal.

VIDA is still in the planning phase of a three year program to annually ship twelve containers of medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in Petit-Goave, Paillant and Miragoane. These hospitals were decimated in the quake and serve hundreds of thousands of Haiti's poorest citizens. VIDA has chosen these three hospitals because they are operating in regions underserved by relief efforts. The need for healthcare is becoming even more acute as temporary clinics are being dismantled as emergency aid organizations have winded down their operations.

VIDA is also currently supporting a medical team headed by Haitian born physician, Alix J.Magloire who is the Chief of Medicine at the Oakland Veterans Administration Clinic. Dr. Magloire, and two other Haitian born physicians have spent two 15 day shifts at a healthcare center in Cayes Jacmal and will be returning once again in June 2011. The clinic has eight observation beds, urgent care unit, and six operating rooms. The clinic serves 3,000 patients. Many walk up to 3 hours to receive care. Arriving at the clinic in the morning, they are met by long-lines of people to receive treatment. They are treating people for infectious diseases such as malaria, gastro intestinal disease, cardiac, metabolic diseases and orthopedic issues. Infectious diseases run rampant due to poor infrastructure and clean water. Even before the earthquake, access to medical care had always been scarce. These Doctors spend long days and nights caring for patients. There is little time for sleep. VIDA has provided multiple small shipments of equipment that the doctors bring with them on their visit. Shipments have included several endoscopy, ultrasound, anesthesia, ECG and dialysis machines.

Links:

• Vida in Haiti

Following the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Partners In Health (PIH) and our Haitian sister organization Zanmi Lasante (ZL) immediately began to both respond to immediate medical needs and plan for the long-term recovery and rebuilding of Haiti's public health system. Now, nearly 15 months after the earthquake, PIH/ZL's focus is on these long-term programs, including our community-based rehabilitative medicine program.

In general, patients have sustained one of four types of injuries: a closed fracture which will need follow-up x-rays and cast changes; an open fracture, which requires wound care in addition to typical fracture care; an amputated limb, which often requires additional surgical procedures for prosthesis fittings; or permanent neurological disabilities, which include spine fractures, spinal cord injuries or paralysis. No matter what the injury, these patients require specialized rehabilitation. Recovering from a fracture means not only learning how to walk with a crutch, but also retraining muscles, ligaments and tendons to walk again. Patients who have had limbs amputated or who have been permanently disabled will need occupational therapy to learn how to live with their disability, in addition to ongoing physical therapy to strengthen their muscles. Patients who underwent life-saving surgeries in the aftermath of the earthquake will require months, and in some cases years, of follow-up and aftercare.

PIH/ZL’s Community-Based Rehabilitative Medicine Program has two main components: Clinical Care and Community-Based Care. When an injured patient first comes to one of PIH/ZL's hospitals or clinics, they are seen by a clinician, who then refers appropriate patients to the rehabilitative team. A doctor of rehabilitative medicine handles all medical issues related to this disability. After a complete evaluation, the rehab doctor develops a care plan, 90% of which takes places outside of the hospital with PIH/ZL's team of community health workers. In cases of extreme injury, patients are reffered as inpatients to PIH/ZL's rehabilitation clinic (currently in Cange, while a state-of-the-art rehab center is being planned and constructed in St. Marc).

Back in the community, each patient is visited regularly by a home visit team, a three-member unit: a rehab doctor and/or nurse (for clinical support), a rehab technician (for physical and other rehab therapies), and a rehabilitation educator, who is a community health worker (CHW) who has been specially trained to tend to the needs of people with disabilities. Throughout this time, the patient's CHW visits him or her daily to monitor the patient’s state, providing in-home support and accompaniment throughout the healing process.

Thank you so much for your support of Partners In Health's earthquake relief and recovery programs. If you wish to continue supporting these types of programs, be sure to take advantage of the GlobalGiving Bonus Day on March 16! All donations made on 3/16 will be matched at 30% (up to $1,000 per donor)!

For video on our rehab program, click below:

Links:

• VIDEO: Walking the Walk
• One-Year Haiti Earthquake Report

On a recent trip by MADRE staff, we visited our partners at KOFAVIV.

KOFAVIV and MADRE have co-founded “The KOFAVIV Women’s Center” a refuge  that provides essential services for rape survivors. The center has become a critical resource for the women it serves. Women who arrive at the center traumatized by an attack immediately are cared for by KOFAVIV members, who accompany rape survivors to urgent medical care and legal services.

Many of the girls who use the center are orphans and are forced into survival sex to provide themselves with the most basic daily necessities, such as food or a sliver of soap. With even a little support, like a pair of flip flops or the promise of a meal, KOFAVIV is able to pull these girls out of that cycle. KOFAVIV also provides counseling, human rights trainings and arts programming, to help women and girls on the path to rebuilding their lives.

Since the earthquake, Haitian women have faced an epidemic of sexual violence in the displacement camps of Port-au-Prince. Every day, new women who have survived rape arrive at the KOFAVIV Women’s Center. Over half of these cases of rape involve girls under the age of 17—the youngest rape survivor we met was 4 years old. Since September, the KOFAVIV Center has treated more than 350rape survivors, and every week, 400 women come for peer-to-peer counseling sessions.

But many obstacles remain. Malya Villard-Appolon, one of the leaders of KOFAVIV, told us that one of the young girls had stopped attending the peer-to-peer counseling sessions. Concerned for her well-being, they sought her out in the displacement camp where she lives. She told them that she had stopped coming to the trainings because she had lost her only pair of shoes and couldn’t make the walk to the Center.  For other women and girls, the inability to afford the cost of transportation throughout Port-au-Prince keeps them from visiting the center, and KOFAVIV has launched a concerted but difficult effort to help cover these costs.

To help bring their services to women and girls, KOFAVIV is hoping to move more of their workshops into the displacement camps. The plan is to start new workshops in seven camps with 40 girls in each.  Eventually, as they grow through the mentorship of KOFAVIV’s leaders, these girls will also become role models for other young girls struggling to heal from rape.

Your support helps make KOFAVIV’s life-saving services possible – thank you.

Links:

• Visiting KOFAVIV
• Human Rights Advocacy Training for Grassroots Women

The day after the one year anniversary of the earthquake my colleague, Marisa , and I rode up the hill to the Hotel Montana to meet Internews’ staff.  The Hotel Montana, previously one of the nicest hotels in Port-au-Prince had collapsed during the earthquake, killing and injuring several people inside.  When we arrived the main part of the hotel had been completely destroyed, although most of the rubble cleared in the past year.

A downstairs portion, including a conference room, remained in tact.  For the week of the one-year anniversary of the earthquake, Internews set up a temporary journalist station in this conference room where both local and international journalists could come to learn, write, and post their stories.  “Half of the time journalists spend in this country is just working out logistics – finding power, internet, etc,” said Phillip Allouard, Internews’ Haiti Country Director.  Each day, they brought in experts from the country about different topics to present to the journalist present.  They covered topics like the cholera outbreak and the reconstruction efforts in the country.

Internews’ mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect, and the means to make their voices heard..  Their first program, ENDK, produces a 15-20 minute informational radio program six days a week to provide Haitians with information they need on topics like where they can access health care, employment opportunities, and disease prevention and treatment.  This program is currently run on about 40 community radio stations throughout the country.  As evidence of their reach, a recent study of the program’s target areas found that 100% of people surveyed had not only heard the program, but could cite specific examples of useful information they had gained from listening.

Internews works hard to make sure that the information they’re providing is what Haitians actually want to hear.  They’ve created a research unit that has grown to almost 20 employees in the past several months.  The research unit originated to identify and track the information needs of the communities they serve.  They have found that across the board – from the time of the earthquake to now – people want health-related information.  Internews has responded with information about where people can access clinics, what symptoms indicate illnesses like cholera, malaria, and typhoid, and what people can do to prevent illness.  Their research has become so respected that other organizations, including government officials and other non-profit organizations, have begun paying for access to the information.  One long-term possibility is to turn this research unit into an information consulting business run by Haitians even after Internews is no longer involved.

Jennifer Mandel, Deputy Country Director, believes that one of the biggest impacts Internews will have on the country is the lasting training and capacity building they have been carrying out throughout the past year.  As funding for the radio program winds down, the journalists and researchers they’ve trained throughout the last year will remain in the country, continuing to provide high-quality research and reporting to rebuild Haiti in the future.

ENDK's radio equipment

We bumped along the road up the hill to Petionville to visit International Medical Corps’ clinic in the J/P tent camp, where about 50,000 Haitians now live since the earthquake destroyed their homes.  Their clinic is in one of the largest of such camps in Haiti, and specializes in primary care so they see a lot of cases of skin rashes, coughs, and stomach problems.  Another specialized hospital is also in the camp, where they refer more serious medical cases, like cholera.

The temporary shelter that IMC built is divided into a few smaller rooms.  On our left, over a dozen patients sat waiting for their check-up.  Children smiled and ran up and down the room while their parents waited to be seen by one of the two Haitian doctors working in the clinic.  Other medical staff took down the details of the patients waiting to be seen.

We sat down and spoke to Manuchecka Dajeantal, a pregnant woman who was in the IMC clinic for the first time.  She came with her husband, who was there to see a doctor about a rash on his neck.  She lives near the clinic, and the free care it provides means she can see a doctor about the unusual swelling she’s experiencing in her legs.  She says that if the clinic was not there she wouldn’t see a doctor at all.

The doctors at the IMC clinic also keep an eye out for psychological problems that their patients may be facing.  Because of the stigma associated with mental health issues, many people don’t seek care for problems like depression or PTSD, which many earthquake survivors are facing.  This is one of the few clinics specially equipped to deal with these issues, and mental health care is integrated into the primary care that the doctors are already providing.

After speaking with the doctors, we walked through the tent camp behind the IMC clinic where we met Leonie Joseph, a woman living in the camp with her husband and two children.  During the earthquake her house collapsed with everything in it.  Luckily her family, which included a three-year-old and a newborn baby, survived.  She is now looking for work and hoping to find a way out of the camp and into a home again.  She says shelter is her number one need.

Soon it started to rain, and everyone ran back under their tents.  We ran to our car and got in as the raindrops got larger.  Our car slipped and slid into the mud as we attempted to leave, eventually getting stuck in several inches of mud.  Over the next hour and a half the community came together to help us move the car and get to where we needed to go. 

Thank you for supporting International Medical Corps’ efforts in Haiti!

Manuchecka Dajeantal, 19, a patient at the clinic

Leonie Joseph lives in the camp with her family

We left early from Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, for the two hour drive to Leogane, where we were meeting with staff from Deep Springs International (DSI).  We arrived on a Saturday and were surprised to find several staff members busily working.  It was bottling day!

DSI locally produces a liquid chlorine that makes water safe to drink.  A capful of chlorine purifies five gallons of water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.  The organization works with community health workers employed by the Ministry of Health to spread the importance of clean water for overall health – a message that becomes even more important with the recent spread of cholera.   For only $1.25, a family of five can receive enough chlorine to have clean drinking water for an entire month.

In the past year since the earthquake, DSI has grown from only 40 staff to 240 staff – almost all of whom are Haitian.  We met with Jean Alliance who explained to us how they train staff to educate the community and bring the chlorine solution to families throughout the region.  The sustainability of the project is important, so the solution is sold, with the small profit margin going to the community health workers.  This allows the project to be independent from relying on grants, provides employment in the local community, and reducing health problems among the families who use the system.  Michael Ritter, National Program Officer, says that their studies show that health indicators seem to be improving within families that use the system.  Childhood diarrhea, for instance, has dropped 50% among their clients. 

They continue to monitor the affect that DSI’s water systems are having on the area and expand in a smart, sustainable way.  DSI was working in Haiti before the earthquake, and continues to remain dedicated to the expanding in a way that improves health and increases local employment in the region.

Bottles of just-bottled locally produced chlorine

Our recent visit to the Lambi Fund’s work outside of Gonaives on January 11, 2011, was my fist venture into the bush of Haiti.  A few hours to the north of Port au Prince, their work was located near beautiful mountains and hills that I’m impressed our truck was able to navigate.  We passed beautiful beaches, banana farms, and rice paddies, and we eventually came to the area outside of Gonaives where Lambi helps a community-based group operate an agricultural co-op.  We first saw the organic plantain nursery they use to grow plants, which they share with a larger community group in somewhat of a credit and barter system.  They do not charge for the pants, which take 8-10 months to grow fruit and sprout 40 plants from one bag/bulb, but rather they give them away to local community groups who plant them, use and/or sell them in turn, and return two new seeds to Lambi for them to cultivate and recycle back into the nursery system. 

Not far down the road, we were greeted by roughly thirty members of the community group that benefits from this system.  There were representatives from each of about a dozen local groups who participate in this co-op.  In addition to bananas, they do cereal transformation using the engine they recently obtained to process grains, as well as other agriculture and livestock such as corn and goats.  They hold monthly meetings, during which they determine their greatest  needs, and they are currently focused on obtaining sufficient clean water for the community.  Each family in the group is using a chlorine filtration system at present, but at a cost of 500 goudes per month, that has been cost-prohibitive for the group.  Much of community members lost their livelihoods in the earthquake as well as many of their brightest hopes for the future in the form of local students who’d gone to Port au Prince for university but didn’t survive last January’s earthquake destruction. 

Despite the obvious needs of the community, they couldn’t have been more welcoming or proud of the great work that Lambi has helped them achieve to date.  They proudly introduced themselves to us – from the overall community group leader, Etienne Emario, to the women who take care of daily needs of the organization, Chrismene and Paulmimose.  And we greatly benefited from their crops and farming, as Chrismene, Paulmimose, and other women of the group created a beautiful and delicious lunch feast for us.  In addition to this delicious send-off, they provided us with a list of their most pressing office needs, which I have attached to this report for you to see as well. 

One of these bulbs yields about 40 plants

The bulbs before they're treated and planted

The landscape where the community lives

On the way to Gonaives to meet the community

• List of office needs from the APS community group (PDF)
  

1 year ago, a 7.0 earthquake struck Port-au-Prince.  An estimated 230,000 people lost their lives, thousands more were gravely injured, and a million others were displaced. Even before the earthquake, Haiti suffered from crushing poverty and a weak infrastructure. The country had now become a massive humanitarian crisis. For many Haitians, the past year has been a daily struggle to rebuild their lives.

The pain of the Haitian people should not be diminished but looking back, we believe we have been able to ease some of their suffering. With the help of our amazing supporters, over the last 12 months we have:

•    Conducted more than 156,600 patient consultations.
•    Established 13 clinics and 7 cholera treatment centers.
•    Distributed $16.2M in medicines, supplies, services and equipment donated by our in-kind partners.
•    Screened more than 20,000 children for malnutrition.
•    Trained and employed 1,300 Haitian health care workers and community mobilizers.
•    Treated more than 7,500 patients in our cholera treatment centers.


To read our 1-year accountability report, please click here.


Right now, we are looking toward the future in Haiti. Working hand in hand with the people of Haiti, we’ve expanded our health care services to reach those in need, while implementing critical medical training and education programs. These programs will help Haiti meet its own health care needs in the future, as well as help the Haitian people prepare for future disasters.

Please take a moment to watch all we've accomplished together in 2010.

The 2010 earthquake was an unprecedented disaster that will undoubtedly affect Haiti for years to come. Although the recovery process will be long, we are committed to improving quality of life, fostering self-reliance, and bringing hope to the Haitian people.

Links:

• With your help in 2010
• Haiti 1 Year Later Report

One year after the historic Haitian earthquake, Save the Children is grateful to our global donors for their compassion and generosity in supporting the organization’s immediate relief and recovery efforts for Haitian children and their families. From the in-country teams to Save the Children staff around the world, we are thankful for your support and desire to help the people of Haiti. Your contributions have enabled Save the Children to mount and now sustain the largest humanitarian aid response in the Western Hemisphere in the agency’s 91-year history.

Below please find a link to Save the Children’s report, Haiti’s Children One Year Later: A Country at a Crossroads.

Links:

• Watch a video of Save the Children's work in Haiti

• Save the Children - Haiti one year report (PDF)

Love a Child distributing WaterBrick containers

Haitian children carrying WaterBricks

Tent City prior to new Love A Child Homes

Links:

• Donate for Haiti
• Sherry's Report on WaterBrick
• Cholera News Update

Dear Friends of VIDA,

As 2010 comes to a close, VIDA wishes you a joyous holiday season. As we reflect on the past twelve months, and count our many blessings, we are mindful that our world has lived through a year of tremendous challenges and suffering. Devastating earthquakes in Chile and Haiti unleashed indescribable destruction upon these nations. And, as always, it is the poor who suffer most. However, in this time of need, we witnessed the boundless generosity of everyday people who answered the call to ease the pain and despair of their fellow human beings. This year, donors from the Global Giving community were vital in helping VIDA respond to the crises. We write you today, to thank you for your support, and to update you on our mission.

For hundreds of thousands of people living in poverty, VIDA is the embodiment of our nation’s philanthropic spirit. Because of the support from Global Giving donors, VIDA quickly responded to these emergencies by shipping containers to Haiti and Chile carrying over $9 million in medical aid. From bandages to surgical kits, wheelchairs to hospital beds, VIDA helped deliver lifesaving medical care to devastated communities such as Petit Goala in Haiti and Pichilemu in Chile. VIDA is currently working on implementing a long-term solution for rural communities in Haiti and Chile that have little, or no, healthcare infrastructure before or after the earthquakes. VIDA is an outstanding steward of your generosity. For every $1 you donated, VIDA sent $150 in life-saving medical aid to Haiti and Chile.

In good times and in bad, access to healthcare remains a daily challenge confronting the poor in Latin America. Since our founding in 1991, VIDA has played an important role in bridging this gap. VIDA has shipped over 325 containers carrying over $450 million in aid and has diverted over 1,000 tons of viable medical supplies from landfills. In spite of the difficult economic environment, 2010 is shaping up to be a record year for VIDA. We are on pace to send 32 containers carrying over $35 million in aid to projects in Latin America.

VIDA Peru is an inspiring example of our commitment to serve communities long after a disaster has struck. In 2010, VIDA Peru has distributed supplies and equipment to over 250 institutions throughout Peru’s 12 regions. Of special note is Puente de VIDA which provides free primary medical care and education to Peru’s most remote communities in the Amazon, Andes, and Coastal Deserts through our mobile clinics. This year, Puente de VIDA served a record 24 communities, up from 16 in 2009. For many of our clients, this was their first access to healthcare.

To build on our successes, the VIDA Board is setting the bar even higher. We have an ambitious goal of shipping 40 containers in 2011 and 50 in 2012.

The mission of VIDA honors the dignity of every individual. No child should suffer because they cannot afford to have a wound properly bandaged. No elderly person should have to convalesce on a broken cot because there is no hospital bed. No human being should die because they cannot afford basic medical care. We are exceedingly grateful to all of our supporters who have so generously given their time, talents, and treasures to help VIDA bring healthcare to impoverished people in Latin America.

We hope that you will continue to join us in helping to bring the gift of VIDA to those in greatest need.

Sincerely,

Haydee Rodriguez-Pastor                                                       Adam G See

President                                                                                 Executive Director

Corporate Matching Programs are making a significant impact! Does your place of work offer one?

When the earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, Zanmi Lasante was uniquely positioned both to provide emergency care and to help develop and implement plans for long-term reconstruction. ZL provided life-saving care to thousands of injured people, opened clinics to serve more than 100,000 people in four spontaneous settlement camps, and launched a $125-million plan to help rebuild Haiti's public health and health education systems.

By the numbers:

• 2,961 earthquake victims received emergency care at ZL hospitals during the first month after the earthquake
• 146,940 patient visits at ZL clinics in four spontaneous settlements
• 733 volunteers sent to Haiti, including 312 nurses and 239 physicians
• 1.5 million pounds of supplies moved to Haiti
• 30,000 children under 5 examined and treated at clinics in settlements
• 12,000 women seen at sante fanm (women's health) tents in settlement clinics
• 4,247 psychosocial and mental health services delivered in settlement clinics
• 500 displaced children enrolled at ZL-supported schools
• 1,000 vulnerable families trained in innovative farming techniques

Highlights from the response:

Provided emergency care for earthquake victims

In the first hours after the earthquake, Zanmi Lasante took immediate action to provide emergency medical care to earthquake victims both in Port-au-Prince and at our facilities in the Central Plateau and Lower Artibonite. ZL medical and engineering staff arrived at the badly damaged general hospital in Port-au-Prince just after the quake, where they helped restore electricity, deployed volunteer surgical teams and urgently needed supplies, and worked with partners to get 12 operating rooms up and running around the clock.

As thousands of injured people fled the ruined capital, ZL opened up new emergency wards and brought in volunteer orthopedic teams to help perform emergency surgeries at four of our largest facilities in central Haiti. In the first four weeks after the earthquake, these facilities delivered life-saving medical care to 2,961 patients with earthquake-related injuries.

Provided comprehensive primary care for displaced communities

Just two weeks after the earthquake, ZL set up health clinics to serve over 100,000 displaced people living in four spontaneous settlement camps around Port-au-Prince. ZL's clinics provide comprehensive primary health care and social support services — including maternal and child health, reproductive care, HIV and TB testing, mental health care, and malnutrition treatment — to roughly 10,000 people each week.

Each clinic is staffed by a team of Haitian physicians, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, and lab technicians. ZL also trained and hired local residents to serve as community health workers at each location, improving outreach into the settlements and providing jobs and income.

Strengthened specialized clinical services to meet the needs of earthquake survivors

Many of the more than 300,000 people wounded by the earthquake suffered crush wounds, compound fractures, spinal injuries and other severe injuries that will require ongoing and specialized rehabilitation. Tens of thousands more were scarred emotionally by the loss of family members and friends, homes and livelihoods. To meet their needs, ZL more than doubled the size of our rehabilitative medicine and mental health teams. By the end of June, the physical therapy team had distributed 400 wheelchairs and was providing care to 50 people with amputations. The mental health and psychosocial support team had offered more than 4,200 support services in spontaneous settlements, including psycho-education, counseling, and individual and group therapy.

Broke ground for a new national teaching hospital

In partnership with the Haitian Ministry of Health, PIH/ZL is building a world-class, 320-bed teaching hospital in Mirebalais. The new hospital will train the next generation of Haitian doctors, nurses, and lab technicians, equipping them to take on the challenges of rebuilding and strengthening the Haitian health care system. When its doors open in late 2011, the Mirebalais hospital will be Haiti's largest public hospital outside Port-au-Prince. It will house clinical facilities not currently available in Haiti, including an intensive care unit and six operating rooms, and will contribute to the national goal of decentralizing services, including both clinical care and education for health professionals.

Links:

• PIH's 2010 Annual Report

Since the epic earthquake in Haiti, Save the Children has worked nonstop to alleviate children’s suffering and ensure their well-being.

• In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, nearly 490 children who were separated from their families were provided with family tracing, reunification, or mediation support.
• Nearly 10,000 children have attended Child Friendly Spaces, where they could play, learn, and develop in a protective environment.
• Over 43,440 children are learning in temporary classrooms.
• Nearly 31,250 children and members of their families received tents, plastic sheeting, shelter kits and other non-food items to set up temporary shelters.
• Young children are regularly screened and treated for malnourishment.
• We are combating the spread of cholera in camps of earthquake-displaced families.

Rachelle’s story: Haiti

In the ”baby tent,” established by Save the Children in Leogane, Haiti, one-month-old infant twins and their mother, Rachelle, have a quiet and safe place to breastfeed, an oasis from the crowded camp outside. “It’s my first time here, and I am hoping to receive some advice for taking care of my babies,” said Rachelle. “I am not getting enough to eat and I need support as these are my first children.” In addition to providing a protected place, the tents serve as a center for breastfeeding support groups as many mothers are having difficulty feeding their infants since the quake. Tent staff also monitor and treat children with acute malnutrition. 

As in any emergency, infants and young children are the most vulnerable survivors of the disaster in Haiti. Breastfeeding is an affordable and vital way to help keep them alive and healthy.

Rachelle: Leogane, Haiti

Links:

• Learn more about Save the Children's mission and programs

Here is a speech update of WaterBrick's involvement and continued assessment of the needs in Haiti.  This speech was given at TEDx Peachtree on November 5, 2010 in Atlanta.  TED is a great world-wide non-profit organization that hosts day long local events, called TEDx, featuring speakers that have "Ideas Worth Spreading".  We were asked to keep it under 10 minutes so we focused on the main points over the 10 months we have been involved.  Check out our speech update at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlVh_YJ3Mb8.

For any questions or new ideas on how we can create partnerships and provide help in Haiti, contact us at info@waterbrick.org as we welcome your feedback.  As an example, we have partnered with Global Giving, Love A Child, Dow Chemical, and Brenntag.  Brenntag just answered our call by providing 2,700 gallons of bleach (in addition to our bleach donation of 1,000 gallons) to help stop the cholera outbreak for example.  We are in the process of creating partnerships with Clean the World, Partners in Health and MAP International to create synergy that accelerates help for the many needs in Haiti.

Have ideas that could help us in our Haiti efforts?  Reach out and let us know your thoughts at info@waterbrick.org.

Haitian Farmers Report:

"The Lambi Fund Saves Lives!"

In an effort to assess the lingering impact of the January 12, 2010 earthquake on Haiti's rural communities, the Lambi Fund of Haiti's team of staff and board members embarked on a fact finding journey which took them to the departments of the Artibonite and the Northwest. Post-earthquake statistics indicate that over 600,000 internationally displaced persons (IDPs) left Port-au-Prince and migrated en masse to Haiti's provinces with a great majority heading for the Artibonite, the North and the Northwest.

The first stop in an itinerary that took us from Port-au-Prince to Haiti's most Northwestern town, Mole St. Nicholas, was at the Center for Plantain Propagation where we met with members of two partner organizations, Peasants Organization of Gwo Mon and Peasants Organization of Sél (AGPGM and APS). The meeting's agenda as set by the organizations included discussions about Lambi Fund's emergency assistance campaign and the work implemented at the Center.

As anticipated, we were all touched by moving accounts of earthquake stories shared by all. We heard of the tears shed over fallen relatives and neighbors.

We were all moved by the narratives of solidarity and mutual support extended to total strangers who walked into their lives traumatized, wounded and seeking support. Our partners told the stories that we would hear along the way. Stories of communities overwhelmed by refugees, men and women eager to help but wondering how they would all survive with their meager supplies of food and water, in the absence of any type of assistance.

Mr. Josephat, a member of APS recalled tearfully:

"I had 21 people, strangers staying with me and my family. We did not think twice about welcoming them, but we had not yet figured out how they would be cared for or how they would be fed.

When we heard about Lambi Fund's program to help impacted families, I was so happy that I cried. I cried because I was touched and shocked that people who had been at the center of this disaster had the time to think about us.

I was so proud to be a member of a strong organization, and I really deeply understood why being organized is the path to a better life. We would have been left to our own devices without Lambi Fund's support.

The government never came and the NGOs which did drop by brought free food supplies and their methods of distribution stripped us of our dignity."

His sentiments were echoed throughout our visits in the Northwest. Haitian peasants continued to reiterate that Lambi Fund delivered aid respectfully through the direct engagement of partner communities.

Phase II: Expanding Food Production

Reports from all communities visited confirmed that the second phase of Lambi Fund's emergency assistance program focusing on food production and food security was a total success. Nearly all farmers from Gwo Mon to Gwo Sab shared their success stories of fast growing cultivation within two months of the earthquake. Thanks to Lambi Fund's support, partner communities generated bountiful harvests of peas, vegetables and corn for consumption and sale at local markets.

In Mawotyé, farmers were less successful with the Emergency Fund's second phase because they purchased most of their seeds from a government agency which was selling hybrid seeds donated by the international community. This unfortunate deviation from their tradition of acquiring local seeds proved very costly. According to disappointed farmers, with the exception of corn cultivation, the harvest for peas, okra, millet and other vegetables was dismal. The farmers said that they have learned their lesson and will return to purchasing local seeds.

In all communities visited, farmers reported that their ongoing projects were now proceeding on-course following justifiable post-earthquake interruptions. In Gwo Mon, activities related to plantain production, sale and processing were going strong.

"I was so proud to be a member of a strong organization, and I really deeply understood why being organized is a path to a better life."

Members of KFTK-NW in Remon, spoke of the importance of the Lambi Fund's support immediately following the earthquake and the Second Phase of assistance focusing on food security and sustainability. In Gwo Sab, farmers, fishermen and market women thanked Lambi Fund for its support of their efforts to modernize their fishing practices and to capitalize the women's microcredit fund. Members enumerated in very somber tones the names of all the men who perished at sea in the past - victims to the elements and the rudimentary boats they used for fishing. Gwo Sab's collaboration with Lambi Fund has resulted in the purchase of new motor boats, is saving lives and helping build a more sustainable future for their community.

Moving Forward

This trip into the Artibonite and Northwestern parts of Haiti illustrated the undeniable fact that Haiti's farmers rightly reflect the post-earthquake psyche of those in urban communities. Haitians, throughout the entire country, are all overcoming the immense trauma of January's earthquake.

Like their urban counterparts in Port-au-Prince, Haitian farmers are determined to be part of their country's reconstruction. Lambi Fund is proud to be a tool which will assist them in the realization of these dreams and visions for a stronger Haiti. In addition to continuing our support of sustainable economic and environmental activities, Lambi Fund has pledged to amplify these voices and their determination to be included in this historic moment for nation building in Haiti.

Haitian women cooking

Links:

• Lambi Fund's website
• Newsletter
• Lambi Fund's programs

Camélita Cadet, 40, had a very different experience with Hurricane Tomas than in previous hurricanes: this time, she did not have to evacuate or find her belongings buried under mud when she returned. “The water just flowed through the canals without causing any damage to the area,” says Camélita. She lives near Bienac canal in Gonaives, which was constructed by CHF International with USAID funds.

In previous years, the northern city of Gonaives was one of the most badly affected when tropical storms or hurricanes hit Haiti. Thousands of people lost their lives in 2004 when Hurricane Jeanne hit, and countless more were affected by Hurricanes Hanna and Ike in 2008. On a regular basis, homes were submerged in mud and the roads became impassable.

This year, there were no deaths in Gonaives and the damage was minimal despite the 12 inches of rainfall that Tomas brought with it. This success is due to the work that CHF International has done to protect Gonaives from flooding due to tropical storms. In a two-pronged approach, CHF reinforced surrounding slopes and ravines by planting over 230,000 trees and building more than 100,000 cubic meters of erosion-preventing dry-stone walls, while at the same time building over 15,500 linear meters of drainage canals. These lead to three main canals: Bassin, Bienac and Bigot, that drain into the sea. Additionally, CHF built five main roads which are sloped to help drain stagnant water along the sides, and an artificial lake was expanded in order to hold 16,000 cubic meters of water.

“Every rainy season before the completion of this project, all the homes along the Bassin road would be flooded,” says Jean Philippe Sejourne, 49, and President of the Bassin Community Association, “and all the commerce and traffic would be blocked.” “Now,” he says, “our quality of life is better and in the name of the community that I represent I would like to thank those who have done this work.”

Roland Poncelet, the CHF Field Office Director in Gonaives, points out that despite the great amount of rainfall there was no major damage to the city. “This time there was some flooding due to water, but no mud,” explains Roland. “Especially important is that the new Bassin canal prevented National Road No. 1 from flooding; all the water was canalized through Bienac and down to the ocean.” The Bassin canal is located above the entrance to the city, a spot previously affected by water running off the mountain ravines surrounding the area. The canal now diverts the water before it can enter. Additionally, the third Bigot canal channeled a huge amount of water without any reported damage.

 “Good job!” said Camélita enthusiastically when asked about the drainage canals built near her home. “I can guarantee you that since the completion of this work, all of us in this zone will take care of this canal as long as it is necessary,” she added happily.

This week Hurricane Tomas hit Haiti at a critical time when Haitians are working to contain the cholera outbreak and continue rebuilding after the January earthquake that drove many into temporary dwellings.  The cholera outbreak alone has claimed more than 440 lives and led to the hospitalization of over 6,700 Haitians to date.

The hurricane did not directly hit the earthquake zone, where displaced families would be highly exposed and endangered. However, heavy rains have caused flooding (including a river overwhelming Leogane (pictured)) and may result in mudslides in populated areas and high winds that would damage or destroy makeshift tent shelters. We serve 18,500 families in Leogane.

“Haiti’s children have suffered one disaster on top of another this year,” Trayle Kulshan, UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Cluster Coordinator, said yesterday.

DSI’s Actions

DSI’s production of Gadyen Dlo (our Haitian-made liquid chlorine) has increased in several communities that we serve based on need and demand.  In Jolivert, this week we provided 20 times the amount of Gadyen Dlo typically demanded.

We have also been producing large quantities of Gadyen Dlo to provide to partner organizations.  For example, MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti) is being supplied with 870 gallons of Gadyen Dlo and 500,000 AquaTabs for water treatment in Port-au-Prince.  This Gadyen Dlo supply alone will purify over 3,800,000 gallons of water, and the AquaTabs will purify 2,500,000 gallons of water.

This work is in addition to our current activities targeting the cholera impact area, including providing treatment systems and Gadyen Dlo to 353 schools with UNICEF, delivering 90 gallons of Gadyen Dlo to DINEPA (Ministry of Water and Sanitation) to purify over 340,000 gallons of water, and training healthcare workers.

Leogane - Gadyen Dlo banner over flooded street

Leogane - Still smiling and joking

Links:

• Visit us on our website

WaterBrick has partnered with Love A Child, a non-profit Christian Humanitarian Organization, that has been helping in Haiti since 1991.  While there relationships will certainly make it easier to pass through the red tape of importing goods, the bigger benefit is that they are a trusted Haiti distribution source to get our donated goods to those in need.  To learn more about the wonderful work that this organization does everyday, go to http://www.loveachild.com/.

In response to the recent cholera outbreak, WaterBrick has donated 1,000 gallons of bleach to Love A Child to distribute to be used as a disinfectant to stop this outbreak.  We are actively contacting corporate donors to increase this donation of bleach through Love A Child and your help would be appreciated through contacts you may have so let us know at info@waterbrick.org.  As of this November 11th report, More than 80 people have died in the last 24 hours across the country, according to the health ministry, taking the death toll to 724.  Hurricane Tomas has magnified the problem in recent days causing this outbreak to reach Port-Au-Prince putting at risk the millions living in tent cities.  For more information on this story, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11736833.  Dirty drinking containers reused out of the garbage dumps is one cause for the spread of cholera and is why it is so important for us to continue providing clean drinking containers.  Dr. Claude Surena, the head of the Haiti Medical Association, told us personally when we were in Haiti that they would need at minimum 250,000 containers.

For pictures of our work in Haiti from your donations, go to http://waterbrickpictures.shutterfly.com/pictures/119.  We will add more pictures at this link to show our recent donations currently being distributed in our next update.  We appreciate your continued support from either yourself, your friends or your family by going to http://www.globalgiving.org/4578.  If you have any questions, you can contact as directly at info@waterbrick.org.

Links:

• To Donate

Deep Springs International is currently under the pressure of the recent cholera outbreak in Haiti that has already killed over 200 Haitians and sickened over 2,000.  Cholera is a preventable illness, preventable with our liquid chlorine.  

The areas affected include the Artibonite Valley (a location of many persons displaced by the earthquake), Arcahaie (near Port-au-Prince), and Limbey.  This outbreak has also increased worries the disease could reach the earthquake zone.  According to the Pan American Health Organization, the number of cases will continue to grow because Haitians do not have any built-up immunity to cholera.  

This weekend Deep Springs International delivered 80 gallons of Gadyen Dlo  (our Haitian made liquid chlorine treatment) to DINEPA (Haiti’s health ministry) to purify over 1,200,000 million liters of water.  DINEPA will use this shipment of Gadyen Dlo in St. Marc to treat a piped public water system.

You can help Haitians by guaranteeing the safe water necessary to shield families from infection and rejuvenate those who are already sick.

Links:

• Visit our website

Public information and effective community outreach identified by World Health Organization (WHO) as the single most effective way of tackling cholera

In close coordination with the Government of Haiti, local media partners, the United Nations, international and local relief organizations, and health and civilian protection officials, Internews is helping to coordinate and disseminate a large-scale emergency public information campaign vital to the containment, prevention and early treatment of cholera as the World Health Organization (WHO) states "that a public information campaign can make the difference between life and death" in Haiti.

The government and the humanitarian community are responding to a cholera outbreak that is blamed for more than 250 deaths and over 3,000 confirmed cases to date, putting in place measures to prevent the disease spreading further from outlying St Marc, Artibonite, the epicenter of the outbreak, to the Port au Prince region and other affected areas by the January 12th earthquake.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the Department of Civil Protection (DPC), Internews is assisting Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities (CDAC) Haiti, a communications coordination platform, to rapidly roll out a comprehensive public information campaign using radio, television, megaphones, sound trucks and community-based mobilization, to communicate messages about cholera and cholera diagnosis, prevention and treatment. In addition, Internews is helping to broadcast an SMS message campaign from the Ministry of Health encouraging Haitians to text "Maladi" to 4636 to receive health information via SMS message on cholera, free of charge.

Internews is producing special radio shows of its own ENDK, News you Can Use program that reaches up to 70% of the Haitian population in partnership with over 35 local radio stations. These radio shows carry information on cholera, symptoms, prevention messages, the evolving situation, and responses by the Haitian Government and its humanitarian partners. These two ENKD programs have already been broadcast across Port au Prince and have been rushed to St-Marc to air in Artibonite on local radio stations.

Communications coordination is key

From Port au Prince and St Marc, CDAC is focusing on facilitating information sharing with local media, community outreach, and ensuring collaboration and support from all responders involved to the national communication strategy through the Ministry of Communication. CDAC Haiti is mapping the existing communications initiatives and capacity, identifying gaps and needs such as megaphones, speakers, radios and community mobilizers, as well as gathering approved messages on cholera treatment and prevention from the government.

CDAC, led by Internews in Haiti, is sharing all this information with the government, humanitarian organizations and local media in the affected areas and Port au Prince to ensure that messages transmitted are consistent, easy to understand, widely disseminated and approved by the relevant authorities.

“We know from past experience that unless someone is there to facilitate and coordinate communication, we will see inconsistent, confusing and possibly contradictory information going out,” says Imogen Wall, UN Humanitarian Spokesperson for Haiti. “All this is particularly important in this context as Haitians are not familiar with cholera and in environments like this misinformation and rumors take root very fast. In cholera epidemics, 80% of cholera patients’ lives can be saved through information: people need to know how to prevent transmission and identify and treat early symptoms especially if they are in remote areas where they cannot receive medical help.”

Links:

• Internews Supports Vital Response to Cholera Outbreak

A cholera outbreak has struck Central Haiti, causing more than 130 deaths and sickening at least 1,500 others. International Medical Corps teams here in Haiti have already responded with medical supplies to the cholera-affected areas, and are pre-positioning supplies in other areas in the event the outbreak spreads. As the only member of the UN emergency response team, International Medical Corps is ready to deploy a full Emergency Response team with doctors and nurses to the area within 24 hours, if needed.

“International Medical Corps is extremely concerned at the speed in which this outbreak spread,” says Dr. Jojo Cangao, International Medical Corps' medical director in Haiti. “We have already begun community outreach and prepositioning of supplies in the camps in which we work in Port-au-Prince in case the outbreak moves south.” More than one million people have been living in displacement camps since the January 12 earthquake, which killed more than 300,000.

There are already reports of the outbreak moving south, closer to Port-au-Prince, and International Medical Corps is pre-positioning supplies for orphanages in this area. Supplies, such as IV saline solution, water purification tablets, and oral rehydration salts, are being collected to dispatch to Artibonite if needed and to preposition in camps where International Medical Corps runs clinics. International Medical Corps is also coordinating with partners in camps where it has clinics to begin community education campaigns on cholera prevention, identification, and treatment - and clinic staff are being trained in cholera treatment and management.

“We are prepared to support the emergency response to the cholera outbreak however is most needed, whether through medical personnel, supplies, or both,” says Dr. Cangao.

International Medical Corps has extensive experience in cholera outbreak response, management, and prevention, with its most recent responses in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Iraq. Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene are also one of its top organizational priorities, with such programs in countries including Haiti, Somalia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Thank you so much for your continuing support -- we are able to respond to emergencies like this because of your wonderful generosity. 

Links:

• Learn more about our cholera response in Haiti

A cholera epidemic has broken out in the Lower Artibonite region of Haiti. As of Friday morning, October 22, more than 2,000 cases and 140 deaths had been reported. PIH has rushed clinical reinforcements and supplies to the region and has mounted a massive community education and mobilization campaign. Community health workers are fanning out throughout the area to distribute oral rehydration salts and soap and to warn people of the need to drink only clean or purified water and wash their hands frequently—the two keys to preventing further spread of the disease.

Starting on Tuesday evening, patients suffering from acute watery diarrhea began arriving at Hôpital Saint Nicolas in St. Marc, which PIH operates in partnership with the Haitian Ministry of Health. By Thursday evening the hospital in St. Marc was overflowing with over 500 patients, of whom 12 had died. Another 437 patients were taken in between 6:00 Thursday evening and 5:00 Friday morning. Other hospitals in the Lower Artibonite region—including PIH facilities in Petite Riviere and Verettes—also reported large numbers of patients with similar symptoms and high mortality rates.

Although the diagnosis of cholera was not confirmed until Friday morning, PIH, the Ministry of Health, and other partner organizations had already launched urgent treatment and prevention efforts. The most effective treatment for both cholera and other acute diarrheal diseases is oral rehydration; and prevention hinges on providing access to clean water.

Zanmi Lasante dispatched reinforcements for both the clinical and community outreach efforts from our team in Port au Prince and our facilities in the Central Plateau. And several longstanding partner organizations have rallied to support PIH and the Ministry of Health on both fronts. Operation Blessing, which has worked closely with PIH to provide clean water in settlements around Port-au-Prince, rushed to St. Marc to help. Two branches of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF-Spain and MSF-Belgium) deployed clinical team reinforcements to St. Marc and Petite Riviere, where they are taking the lead in setting up systems to separate cholera cases from non-cholera cases.

Lack of access to clean water has long been a major threat to public health throughout Haiti. Zanmi Lasante has worked with partner organizations to combat the problem on many fronts:

• at the household level—by building and supplying filtration systems to households in isolated areas;
• at the community level—by constructing spring caps and piping water to kiosks for use by local residents; and
• at the national and international level—by advocating for changes of policy and commitment of resources to make clean water available to all as a fundamental human right. In a study published in 2007, PIH documented the damage to public health caused by a 10-year delay in disbursing loans that had already been approved for construction of water improvement projects in several Haitian communities, including St. Marc. Learn more.

As we work urgently to treat cholera patients and halt the epidemic before it can spread to the crowded settlements around Port au Prince, PIH will continue to emphasize that strengthening public infrastructure, especially the water supply, must be a top priority in post-earthquake reconstruction efforts.

Links:

• Joia Mukherjee, PIH Chief Medical Officer, reports on outbreak
• Woch nan Soley: The Denial of the Right to Water in Haiti

Over the course of our programme, and through the generous support of our donors, we have trained over 1,000 relief workers across key humanitarian areas such as water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, supply chain and fleet management, safety and security, and telecommunications. 91 percent of the people trained have been national Haitian humanitarian personnel, providing a strong skills base within the country, increasing local involvement in the relief and recovery process and ensuring that skills remain in country long after the media attention has faded.

We are now winding down our training operations in Haiti.  RedR would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to our Emergency Appeal; your donations have made an invaluable difference to rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of the people of Haiti. 

There will remain a strong legacy of our time in Haiti. The skills taught will continue to have impact on the ongoing relief operation for months, even years to come. RedR Members will continue to work in the region, sharing their experience and  our technical support service remains available to all field workers. 

For a our full Haiti report and for further information about RedR's activities please visit our website: www.redr.org.uk

Thank you for what you have helped us do for the Haitian community.

Links:

• RedR UK Haiti Report

In the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, VIDA quickly responded by airlifting two containers carrying $2.0 million in medical emergency relief into Haiti's triage supply chain. This was made possible by the generous support of Global Giving members. VIDA is now focusing on rebuilding the long-term healthcare delivery systems in Haiti's remote communities.

 VIDA is in the planning phase with our Haiti and USA partners for a three year program to annually ship twelve containers of medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in Petit-Goave, Paillant and Miragoane. These hospitals were decimated in the quake and serve hundreds of thousands of Haiti's poorest citizens. VIDA has chosen these three hospitals because they are operating in regions underserved by relief efforts. The need for healthcare is becoming even more acute as temporary clinics are being dismantled as emergency aid organizations are winding down operations. The situation in Haiti is growing increasingly dire as we move into the rebuilding phase.

This effort has requires extensive planning due to the infrastructure challenges facing Haiti as well as the increasing customs regulations with importing medical aid into the country as the nation now is in the rebuilding phase. Roads, buildings, medical supplies, medical equipment and trained medical personnel are inadequate but are critical in carrying out a sustainable program. This reality requires that VIDA and its partners undertake extensive planning and due diligence to ensure the program's success. Upon completing the panning phase, VIDA will be sending only the highest quality medical equipment and supplies, from bandages to surgical suites, to get the hospitals up and running and will then resupply the hospital over a three year period to ensure that the clinics have the resources to serve people in need.

A small sample of medical equipment includes: Hospital beds & gurneys; Stretchers; Cots, Dental or ophthalmology chairs; Disabled and elderly equipment: wheelchairs, walkers (foldable), crutches and canes; Exam & physical therapy tables; Operating tables; Small/portable: pulse oxymeters, defibrillators, incubators, endoscopy, ultrasound, anesthesia, ECG & dialysis machines, etc.

As of August 2010, DSI and you are now serving over 150,000 Haitians with safe water for years to come.  Through your help and that of organizations like Save the Children and UNICEF we have been able to act quickly--providing not only safe water for a day but safe water for a lifetime through a strategic plan that converts traditional aid into sustainable jobs and enterprises.

Our programs reach both communities with the same safe water system - Gadyen Dlo - that you helped provided to over 60,000 Haitians in the earthquake zone.  This was not a "one time hit," like a vaccination.  Your compassion has helped us distribute and establish a system that will transition from initial aid to Haitian-managed sustainable enterprises.  As we talk about it internally, we provide a solution to a systemic problem that is "for Haitians, by Haitians."

Although we have been able to create many jobs for Haitians and provide safe water to over 150,000 Haitians, the need is increasing for rural Haitians.  Traditional aid organizations and the Haitian government are now focusing time and resources on dense population centers to the neglect of the rural communities that DSI serves.  There are over 1,200,000 rural Haitians who still do not have safe water to drink or properly prepare meals.   

The impact from the January 2010 earthquake remains, and we would love to continue serving rural Haitians with you.

If you have any questions, let us know!  Please also check out our website with many updates and more complete information about our strategy, goals, and people - www.deepspringsinternational.org 

Jean Alliance (Program Coordinator) at UN Leogane

A few children we serve in Leogane

Links:

• Check out the updated website!

It’s hard to believe that it’s only been five months since I became International Medical Corps’ Medical Director in Haiti. Looking back, I am really proud of the number of people we reached and the level of medical care we provided - especially when so many were at their most vulnerable to diseases like malaria, dengue and typhoid fever. To date, there has been no outbreak of disease in Haiti following the earthquake, even with 1.5 million people displaced. Through our 13 mobile clinics throughout the quake-affected regions, International Medical Corps was able to quickly deliver health care services, critical medicines and protect those who lost everything.

We not only successfully cared for people’s physical wounds, but their emotional wounds as well by making mental health care services available to quake-affected Haitians. Mental health care scarcely existed in Haiti before the earthquake and now, because of the training we have provided, our doctors and nurses are able to identify, handle, and if necessary, refer mental health cases for advanced care. In fact, some of our doctors are now going to be certified by the Ministry of Health as providers of mental health care!

Although we’ve made a lot of progress in Haiti, we definitely have some challenges coming our way, namely with the current hurricane season, which could cause larger displacement and even more health problems for an already vulnerable population. Flooding always poses a threat to health, as waterborne diseases become more prominent. With this risk, we have been prioritizing disease surveillance in the areas where we work and contributing to a national system so that outbreaks are tracked and responded to effectively. As our primary health clinics are a vital prevention mechanism, as well as a platform to track outbreaks of diseases, we’ve been working with the government, other international NGOs, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a disease surveillance system through our primary health clinics.

In addition, we are also rolling out our disaster response and preparedness program in Petit Goave and Jacmel, two disaster-prone areas in southern Haiti. Through this program we will train Ministry of Health staff and local communities in emergency preparedness and response, including first-responder training for health professionals. Our biggest challenge will be making sure that we are building an effective health care system that improves upon what t existed previously in Haiti. Even before the earthquake, only 47% of Haitians had access to health care. Seeing the progress made so far though, I believe we can create a health care system that serves all Haitians and I’m excited to be part of the rebuilding process.

To date, Internews has produced and distributed more than 150 Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen (ENDK) shows. The show – “News You Can Use” in English – covers information of critical importance to those affected by the Haiti earthquake.ENDK is recorded daily, and delivered by motorbike in Port-au-Prince to local radio stations that air the broadcast. Initially nine radio stations were broadcasting daily. Today, that number has reached 33. Recent issues covered to inform camp residents and others include:

• Elections: Where to vote, register and file disputes • Disaster preparedness: A US medical boat stands ready to help the Haitian population in case of hurricane disaster. • Entertainment: Announcement of free outdoor movie screenings in Pétion-Ville

On June 1st Internews launched www.enkd.info, with French summaries and Creole transcripts of ENDK broadcasts. The site also allows any radio station to download audio content and customize it for broadcast. The site features Weekly Mailbox, a choice of the most relevant Q&A addressed during the week. More than 400 Weekly Mailbox questions have been answered so far on topics that vary from “How to get a death certificate for a person whose body was never found” to “Is shooting into to the sky to celebrate after a soccer match allowed?”

This information is vital to Haitians as they continue to recover from the devastating earthquake. The radio is the most popular form of consuming information. A recent GlobalPost article details the importance of Haitian journalists and their reporting to the country’s recovery: “Broadcasting from tents outside crumbled stations, Haiti’s radio journalists are striking a stronger, more critical tone, holding local and foreign officials accountable for missteps as the country limps toward recovery.”

Thank you for your support of humanitarian news and information in Haiti.

Links:

• Article: In Haiti, radio evolves into powerful mouthpiece

"Ecole Eddy Pascal Takes Education Forward"

Ecole Eddy Pascal was a cornerstone of the local community in Carrefour, Haiti, for over 25 years. Housed in an imposing three-story building, Ecole Eddy Pascal offered elementary and secondary school, classes for adults and a cultural club for the community. But the facility collapsed on January 12, and the school director, Eddy Pascal himself, began searching for a way to start over.

"The first thing we did was ask parents what they had and what they could contribute," he said. "But then Save the Children arrived and gave us exactly what we needed."

Soon there were tents for classrooms, blackboards, equipment and supplies. Children received school kits including a backpack, notebooks and writing utensils. Save the Children has also been training the teachers on how to help children cope with the emotional stress children have suffered from the earthquake. In addition, teachers are coached on how to handle aftershocks that might occur during school hours, making them better prepared to respond in an emergency situation.

"I'm very happy for the opportunity to participate in the trainings," says teacher Jean-Joab. "Psychologically we are much more prepared now."

Jean-Joab hopes the children will be able to move forward despite the suffering they have experienced and the challenges they continue to face. He continues, "I want the children to be able to live their lives with the tools they gain here so that education is practical for their lives. I am much more patient now. We have just come out of a nightmare."

"Making a Home for the School: Cash-for-Work and Education Working Together"

When the January 12 earthquake completely destroyed the Ecole Mixte Etzer Vilaire des Orangers in Jacmel, Haiti, School Director Joseph Constant was devastated. The remnants of the foundation are the only evidence the school ever even existed. Fortunately school had ended by the time the earthquake hit, and no one was hurt. "I thought there was no way school could continue," Mr. Constant explains, "but I knew we had to find a way to prevent the children from slipping in their studies. So now we have a friendship with Save the Children."

In addition to clearing an area for a temporary school through a cash-for-work program, Save the Children provided tents, benches, blackboards, and a school kit for children including a backpack, writing utensils and a workbook. Local community members who were engaged in the cash-for-work program also set up the tents and cleared the rubble from the former school location. They are now working to prepare the new school site.

Participants in the cash-for-work program are local community members who were affected by the earthquake, some of whom had lost their home or their livelihood in the disaster. The program also specifically supports people with three or more children and women who are heads of household.

The students are thrilled to be back in classes. "School is important because we need to learn," exclaims the first grade class almost in unison. "It's important to know how to write so that we can spell our names," adds 7-year-old Woudline. Each student in the first grade class has a goal: they want to "work the land" or "build houses" or "be a nurse."

Twelve-year-old Monise states in a serious tone, "After school I'm going to work so that I can help my mother." The school had 127 students prior to the earthquake. To date, 92 students have returned. Many others have left the area as families migrated to other regions or children who had been in the care of a relative returned to parents' homes. Mr. Constant is hopeful that school attendance will continue to grow as they move into their new, permanent location. "Education is the key to freedom," Mr. Constant declares. "Both the school and Save the Children know it is our duty to educate children. To work in education is a matter of the heart."

Save the Children has been working in Haiti since 1978 and had numerous education projects in place prior to the earthquake. Since January 12, education programming has expanded to include over 270 schools that are now benefitting from tents, tarpaulins, equipment, supplies, school kits and/or teacher training. Save the Children plans to provide access to school for more than 160,000 children in Haiti.

More than seven months after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, rubble still fills the streets and 1 million people or more people are still homeless. GlobalGiving donors like you have supported close to 20 organizations working on the ground to provide food, shelter, medical equipment, and long-term reconstruction for Haiti’s earthquake survivors. Below is a short update the organizations your dollars have helped to support and the impact that have already had. Thank you!

- The Lambi Fund of Haiti has provided emergency cash disbursements to 43 grassroots organization throughout Haiti. These local organizations have used the emergency grants to purchase clothes, food, medical supplies and other necessary supplies for earthquake survivors.

- VIDA has already airlifted two containers carrying $2 million in medical emergency relief into Haiti. VIDA is sending only the highest quality medical equipment and supplies, from bandages to surgical suites, to get the hospitals up and running and will then resupply the hospital over a three year period to ensure that the clinics have the resources to serve people in need.

- RedR has trained 871 relief workers from 46 organizations in essential humanitarian and reconstruction skills and techniques - 92% of those trained are Haitian nationals

- Partners in Health’s local staff of nearly 5,000 people have provided emergency critical care and surgical services; helped seriously injured patients regain mobility; resettled abandoned and disabled children into a safe group home; and provided strategic planning assistance to Port-au-Prince’s General Hospital and the Haitian Ministry of Health.

- CHF has registered more than 2,200 shelter beneficiaries and is currently in the process of completing 600 shelters in Port-au-Prince and Leogane. Over 60 shelters have been constructed in Leogane as part of a pilot project using steel materials that are pre-fabricated by trained workers at the local CHF warehouse.

Thank you again for your support!

Lambi Fund gives necessary emergency funds.

RedR carries out trainings for disaster workers.

It’s been seven months since January’s devastating earthquake in Haiti. Thanks to the outpouring of support from donors like you, Lambi Fund has provided emergency cash disbursements to 43 grassroots organizations throughout Haiti.

Rural parts of Haiti received over ½ a million internally displaced persons (IDPs) following the earthquake. These local organizations have used the emergency grants to purchase clothes, food, medical supplies and other life essentials for earthquake survivors.

Ostazia Ogusten and her husband have 10 children and live in Mahotiere in North West, Haiti. She states that, “After the quake our household doubled. It was extremely problematic. We didn’t have the means to care for them. It’s thanks to Lambi Fund that we got the relief we so desperately needed. We could supply food, water, and medical supplies to earthquake survivors.”

Providing emergency relief to earthquake survivors was just the beginning. These individuals need to develop forms of sustainable incomes and integrate into their new communities. Your continued support will help survivors launch small business enterprises and plant crops for their families- providing hope for today and tomorrow.

Links:

• Lambi Fund website
• Earthquake Updates
• Lambi Fund Newsletter

I recently visited a St Marc fishermen’s association in the downtown area. St Marc is on the Caribbean sea and fishing is a major industry. But traditionally, fishermen would go out, catch some fish then come back and try and find a good place to sell them. It might be the side of the street somewhere, it might be near the sea, or maybe in the center of town. But too often their wares were spoiled by the heat or simply went unsold because of the unsettled location – consumers need to know where to come to buy. Additionally, they would have to travel for hours to get to Port au Prince to buy fishing materials and as lone buyers, never got a good deal.

The C in CHF stands for “Cooperative” and we always aim to get people to cooperate for greater benefit. We brought together many individual fishermen in the community and encouraged them to form an association. We then worked with that association to build a central market place where they can sort and prepare their catch, then sell it. In the office of the building we put in place several solar powered freezers so that unsold fish can be kept for the next day. With the building being a market place, there is now a centralized location for sales and, because of the footfall in the building, local businesses pay to advertise on their walls. Additionally we provided them with materials for wooden fishing boats, built by a local boat builder, new net technology, and a local partner provided them with a fiberglass boat in case of emergencies that can reach distressed fishermen. Finally, there are the other benefits of an association – increased purchasing power drives down prices and they can buy in bulk. A part of their – massively increased - profits goes towards running the association, the rest goes into their pockets.

When we visited it was the middle of the afternoon. The fish had been sold (the freezers were pleasingly empty) and the market place had become a place of social gathering for fathers, mothers and children, both of the human and animal variety. Ducklings, goat kids and piglets ran around on the beach alongside children who shouted to me in Spanish (presumably the language they hear most from foreigners) and posed for photographs. My eyes went to the trash washing up on the beach and I began to think about how we could install a solid waste management system, but that was for another day. Our guide, a local CHF staff member, Georges, pointed me in the directions north and south – we have built three of these buildings for the local associations. He was extremely proud of this work – genuinely passionate – and so he should be. He and all the staff in St Marc – all Haitian - had worked with his community to put in place changes along the whole market chain from improvements in catching fish to storing and selling them. And, motivated by their improved profits and lifestyle, I am certain the associations will remain in place in the future and, I hope, influence others in the area.

WaterBrick’s are already being distributed in Haiti with help from Dow Chemical, the Red Cross, Global Giving and nearly 400 donors like you. Dow Chemical announced their support of WaterBrick in Haiti when they issued a press release on April 8th and their Chairman and CEO, Andrew Liveris, stated, “We are very proud to be working with WaterBrick International to help bring much needed relief to the Haitian people … And because WaterBricks can be repurposed, these materials will generate zero waste, which is in line with our sustainability commitments." For the full press release, go to www.dow.com and site search WaterBrick. To date, Dow Chemical has donated 610,000 pounds of plastic resin to be used for WaterBrick containers to help Haiti relief efforts.

How is the WaterBrick container helping in Haiti? Made of rugged, high density polyethylene with an easy grip comfort handle, it can hold 3.5 Gallons of Liquid or up to 27 Pounds (264 Meals) of Dry Food. These unique dry storage containers, unlike any other, add value by cross stacking up to 7 feet for maximum efficient storage or can be used as a building block for transitional basic shelter. It has a wide lid opening that easily allows an average adult to pull stored contents out of the container. It stores water, food or anything you want to keep dry or store efficiently. Also, it has an ultra violet additive so it is non-biodegradable and therefore can be repurposed for 15 years by the people in Haiti; thus having long term benefits. We have included a picture of the WaterBrick stacking so that you can see firsthand how efficiently it can store water and food in Haiti.

Going forward, WaterBrick is committed to a longer term strategy in Haiti based on forming new corporate sponsorships, like with Dow Chemical, working with larger humanitarian agencies and increasing our grass roots donations; all through our relationship with Global Giving.

Our next report will include pictures of WaterBricks being used in Haiti for water and food storage.

Links:

• WaterBricks website
• Dow News Release - Dow helping WaterBrick in Haiti

SIX MONTH REPORT OVERVIEW

Six months have now passed since a devastating earthquake ripped through Haiti. Every day since January 12, 2010, Partners In Health (PIH) and our sister organization Zanmi Lasante (ZL) have been working to help Haiti's people build their lives and their country back better.

Although not yet fully funded, the Stand With Haiti Fund we established in March has provided PIH and ZL with the resources and the strategic vision to begin the process of building back better in Haiti through a combination of: strengthened clinical services at our existing health centers and hospitals as well as in new facilities; expanded social and economic support programs for the most vulnerable patients and community members where we work; and investments in long-term, strategic revitalization of the public health and medical education systems.

Over the past 26 weeks, our efforts have saved lives through emergency critical care and surgical services; helped seriously injured patients regain mobility; resettled abandoned and disabled children into a safe group home; comforted communities in need of spiritual and emotional solace; and provided strategic planning assistance to Port-au-Prince's General Hospital (HUEH) as well as the Haitian Ministry of Health (MOH) leadership.

Hundreds of thousands of earthquake survivors across the Central Plateau and Artibonite Valley regions as well as in four large settlements of displaced people in Port-au-Prince have benefitted from the generosity of all those who supported and continue to give to PIH's Stand With Haiti Fund. This report summarizes what you have helped make possible since that terrible afternoon in January. For more detailed information and multimedia content, please visit www.standwithhaiti.org/six-months.

We have been able to respond to the disaster and embark on the work of building back better thanks to the extraordinary generosity and solidarity of individuals, organizations, and institutions who through June 30 had contributed a total of $85 million, including a substantial sum designated specifically for long-term rebuilding and strengthening Haiti's public health system.

Of that amount, we have expended $26.6 million to date. The table below (see link: PIH Six-Month Report: Overview) presents a summary of how that money has been spent and the graph provides a projection of how we intend to use the remaining $98.4 million of our planned $125 million fund over the next two years. These projections are consistent with the general parameters outlined when the Stand with Haiti Fund was established. They have been and will continue to be refined and adjusted regularly based on our understanding of shifting needs and priorities.

Our work is far from over. The rubble has yet to be fully cleared. More than a million people are still living under tents, tarps, and makeshift shelters in crowded encampments, with limited access to food, water, sanitation, schools, jobs, and social services. Many people are still in pain, hungry, and desperate.

But with over 25 years experience and a local staff of nearly 5,000 people working through an expanding network of public hospitals and health centers, we're committed to continuing to provide quality health care to those who need it most and striving to bring long-term strategic improvements to Haiti's public health and medical education systems. To do this, we will use the same values and approach that have guided our work for many years: solidarity with the Haitian people and the communities in which they live; partnership with the government of Haiti and other institutions and organizations; and a comprehensive vision of what is comprised by health care.

Links:

• PIH Six-Month Report: Multimedia content
• PIH Six-Month Report: Overview

• PIH Six-Month Report - PDF (PDF)
  

Life After the Quake

Six months after the quake, despite the significant progress Save the Children and others have made to alleviate children’s suffering and begin addressing longer-term needs, the magnitude of the destruction and damage is such that much remains to be done to assist children and families. Rubble still fills the streets of Port-au-Prince, Léogâne and Jacmel. Most people have little access to safe shelter, drinking water, electricity or health care. Approximately 1 million are still homeless, many living in substandard shelters. Children lost family, friends, schools and homes and are particularly vulnerable to disease, abuse and exploitation. The infrastructure essential to the process of rebuilding — electricity, sanitation, health facilities and schools — was largely destroyed in the quake, hampering efforts to provide services to needy families. Under these precarious conditions, Haiti’s hurricane season has officially begun. Heavy rains could spell another disaster for the country and its people. If, as predicted, Haiti experiences intense storms and hurricanes, already vulnerable children and their families will require a renewed surge of humanitarian aid, especially shelter, food, water and sanitation.

An Opportunity for a New Haiti

Haiti’s people may feel anxious that another hurricane or earthquake could strike at any time, but the prospect of rebuilding and creating a new, better country offers hope. With support from unprecedented numbers of citizens and public and private organizations worldwide, Haitians have an historic opportunity to rebuild a nation that has struggled for centuries with persistent poverty, exclusion and weak governance. Save the Children has an ongoing commitment to Haiti that goes back to its first programs in 1978. Our current goal is to alleviate the suffering of 800,000 people (including 470,000 children) affected by the disaster. The agency also is preparing to assist Haiti through a 5-year relief-to-recovery effort to build back better. Strengthening the capacity of Haitians and their institutions —governmental and nongovernmental alike — will enable Haiti’s people to play a more active role in managing their own future. If further crises arise, Save the Children will renew its emergency assistance. Donor governments need to uphold their commitments and deliver on pledges to provide timely, robust and sustained support during this still critical phase of the emergency in Haiti, and for the recovery and long-term development of its people. Actors in the recovery need to be accountable for the use of aid resources. This will ensure that aid strengthens the institutions governing Haiti’s recovery and development and fosters transparency and participation of all stakeholders, including children.

Links:

• Video - 6 Months After the Haiti Earthquake, Save the Children

Since RedR set up its Disaster Response Support Service, 871 relief workers working for 46 organisations have been trained in essential humanitarian and reconstruction skills and techniques. Crucially, 92% of those trained are Haitian nationals - helping communities to respond with the resources they need to rebuild their lives. This philosophy is highlighted in our campaign Respond, Resource, Rebuild. Read more by clicking on the link below.

What effect does RedR's training have? It means participants can leave our training room and help communities fight disease, distribute supplies, get clean water and stay safe. It also means Haitians are gaining skills and knowledge that will stay with them for a lifetime.

It is thanks to people like you that we have been able to run this program. Thank you so much for your support.

Training Islamic Relief

Links:

• RedR's Respond, Resource, Rebuild Campaign

Since we established our Disaster Response Support Service in Haiti, 734 aid workers have now been trained in humanitarian, technical and related disciplines. The vast majority of participants are Haitian nationals, helping the country respond, resource and rebuild.

Magdala Jean Baptiste is a Haitian teacher currently working for Save the Children as an Education Coordinator. Magdala’s team is based in Jacamel – close to the epicentre of the quake - where an estimated 60 percent of buildings and infrastructure were severely damaged or destroyed. Her work involves liaising closely with educational representatives, children and communities on areas such as reopening schools and reinstating classes, safeguarding children and distributing materials.

Magdala has been passing on what she learnt, ensuring that knowledge of good hygiene practice is widely disseminated in camps and local communities: “I’ve replicated what I learnt on the RedR training course to our community mobilisation teams who then in turn have run hygiene education in schools; for the school heads, teachers, students and parental committees. In total we have educated 1,228 people who will each teach 30 people in their community about the importance of good hygiene practices to help prevent disease outbreaks. That will make 36,840 Haitians who have been reached on the basis of this one important training.

Training Haitian aid workers

Water, sanitation and hygiene training

Links:

• RedR hygiene promotion training making a difference in Haiti

By supporting Internews’ efforts in Haiti, you can directly make possible the broadcast of vital information in a country that largely depends on radio for its news and information. Help us continue to serve the needs of earthquake victims in Haiti and contribute to the long-term recovery of Haiti’s media sector.

Haitians are still struggling with devastating after effects of the January 12 earthquake. Almost two million people are living in displaced person camps, in which problems of garbage disposal, health, security and violence are compounded.

Providing Haitians with reliable information is critical to their continuing struggle to obtain employment, education for their children, permanent housing and access to health services.

Since a few days after the earthquake, with a team of local reporters, Internews has been producing a daily 15-minute news program – Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen (News You Can Use) – that is currently airing on 25 local radio stations.

A survey found that 82% of men and 67% of women listen to Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen as an information source. “If you go to Haiti, everyone, just everything they say is, 'News You Can Use said that. News You Can Use said that,'” said Caitlin Klevorick, Special Assistant to Counselor Cheryl Mills, US State Department, at a panel discussion on the role of media in the response to the earthquake. Almost one million Haitians listen to and depend on Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen for humanitarian news and information.

The program reports critical information about water distribution points, openings of displaced persons camps, the role of search and rescue teams, public health advisories, education, culture and more. The program invites direct feedback from the affected population in the form of SMS text messages and emails, keeping the broadcast current. Radio, along with church, is one of the most trusted sources of information in Haiti and people overwhelmingly prefer local stations.

The continuation of humanitarian broadcasting as well as building and sustaining a strong local media is critical to Haiti’s reconstruction and political and economic development.

What donors are saying:

“(I give because of) the unsurpassed work Internews does in emergency situations in restoring access to information and news, which does "save lives" – Sarah Tisch, DC

“(I give because I) believe that the power of communication is imperative in a humanitarian disaster of this sort” – Katie Well, London

Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a difference.

Links:

• ARTICLE: 'Haiti tunes in and moves on'
• Help Get Humanitarian Information to Haitians in Need

Because of your generosity after the earthquake in Haiti, we were able to rapidly mobilize and provide life-saving care to tens of thousands, and we thank you for your support. But the people of Haiti still need our help. On June 16th, Global Giving has pledged to match all contributions up to $1,000 per donor per project between 12:00am and 11:59pm. Only online donations made via credit card or PayPal are eligible and donations made on www.globalgiving.co.uk will not be considered eligible.

This is a wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your support for Haiti’s recovery.

Below are just a few examples of the work we are doing in Haiti right now:

• Since arriving 22 hours after the earthquake, we have provided medical care to more than 79,000 Haitians.

• We are operating 15 mobile clinics in the most underserved regions along the coast, treating approximately 1,500 patients daily.

• We’ve created the first Emergency Department at a public hospital in Haiti.

• Our childhood nutrition program provides supplementary nutrition and care for malnourished children.

• We’ve implemented an early childhood development program in our mobile clinics to mentor new mothers affected by the earthquake about infant stimulation and proper nutrition.

With the help of our supporters, we’ve made impressive strides over the past few months – but there is still so much to be done. As we work to rebuild Haiti and restore hope to those devastated by this disaster, we look forward to your continued commitment.

Links:

• Learn More About Our Work In Haiti

President Clinton and Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive met with CHF International in Leogane, Haiti yesterday afternoon for a brief visit to a cluster of four steel-framed, transitional shelters constructed by CHF in response to the January 2010 earthquake. Accompanied by Paul Farmer (anthropologist, physician and founder of the NGO, Partners in Health), and with various stakeholders and philanthropists, President Clinton spent 40 minutes meeting with family members living in the shelters and speaking to Eddie Argenal - CHF Emergency Shelter and Infrastructure Officer - and with local members of the shelter construction team.

During his visit, Clinton announced an additional pledge of $2 million towards disaster preparedness in Haiti and for funding of the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Committee.

To date, CHF has registered more than 2,200 shelter beneficiaries in Port-au-Prince and throughout the Petit-Goave-Leogane corridor. CHF is one of the leading organizations in construction of transitional shelters, and is currently in the process of completing 600 shelters in Port-au-Prince and Leogane. Over 60 shelters have been constructed in Leogane as part of a pilot project using steel materials that are pre-fabricated by trained workers at the local CHF warehouse. As part of the USAID/CLEARS program, CHF shelter construction, rubble removal using both heavy machinery and cash-for-work teams and assistance to host families and IDPs in Cap Haitien, will be ongoing through October 2010.

Links:

• http://www.chfinternational.org/node/34314

In the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, VIDA quickly responded by airlifting two containers carrying $2.0 million in medical emergency relief into Haiti's triage supply chain. This was made possible by the generous support of Global Giving members.

In collaboration with Haiti's Ambassador to United States, Raymond Alcide Joseph, and medical doctors based in Florida, VIDA is making a three year commitment to ship twelve containers of medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in Petit-Goave, Paillant and Miragoane. These hospitals were decimated in the quake and serve hundreds of thousands of Haiti's poorest citizens.

VIDA has chosen these three hospitals because they are operating in regions overlooked by relief efforts. VIDA focuses our mission on communities that have been forgotten. VIDA is seeking to raise $100,000 to ship $15 million in aid to give life to these communities in need. As soon this project is funded at 50K we will post a new project for the shipping support needed.

VIDA will be sending only the highest quality medical equipment and supplies, from bandages to surgical suites, to get the hospitals up and running and will then resupply the hospital over a three year period to ensure that the clinics have the resources to serve people in need.

A small sample of medical supplies includes: Bandages; Gauze; Blood pressure equipment; First aid kits; Gloves; Hospital or surgical masks; Orthopedic supplies (braces, prosthetics); Skin treatments, including anti-fungal or antibacterial crèmes; Soap; Disinfectants; Stethoscopes, Surgical supplies (including sutures); Syringes & needles, Tongue depressors , Iodine, and Thermometers.

A small sample of medical equipment includes: Hospital beds & gurneys; Stretchers; Cots, Dental or ophthalmology chairs; Disabled and elderly equipment: wheelchairs, walkers (foldable), crutches and canes; Exam & physical therapy tables; Operating tables; Small/portable: pulse oxymeters, defibrillators, incubators, endoscopy, ultrasound, anesthesia, ECG & dialysis machines, etc.

Summary: Over the past four months, since the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, Save the Children has worked nonstop to alleviate children’s suffering and ensure their well-being. Through your generosity and that of other donors, Save the Children has delivered lifesaving relief and today is also transitioning to longer-term recovery programs in the worst-affected communities. We continue to coordinate our responses with government partners, other local and international non-governmental organizations through the United Nations cluster system, and are working with local authorities and communities to address the most urgent needs of children and support their protection and recovery.

To date, over 550,000 children and adults who care for them have benefited from our work in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne, Jacmel and Petit Goave and surrounding communities.

*Please see attached document for full report

• Haiti-6 Month Report (DOC)

Thanks to your immediate support, the Lambi Fund of Haiti has been able to provide relief on a level that never before would have been possible. Please read the article below from Lambi Fund's Spring 2010 Newsletter. Hopefully it will provide you with a glimpse of life post-quake in Haiti. It also discusses Lambi Fund's progress made so far and our plans for the future.

PROGRESS AMID THE CHAOS:Lambi Fund Responds to the Earthquake Disaster in Haiti

The world watched in horror as the toll on human life unfolded. Never before, declared UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, has a natural disaster been so devastating.

The Presidential Palace crumbled, UN headquarters were destroyed, building after building collapsed like pancakes.

Unbelievably, 250,000 residences were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.

The horrible stench of death lurked in the city for weeks afterwards. Over 200,000 people were killed. More than 150,000 individuals injured and left to live life as amputees. In the blink of an eye, nearly 2 million Haitians were rendered homeless.

Responding to such a catastrophe has not been easy. Through the rubble, roads were impossible to navigate and trying to coordinate the influx of international donor agencies was declared a logistical nightmare.

Earthquake survivors left with no homes, no food, and no jobs quickly realized that aid distribution would be slow and unreliable.

Thus over 500,000 affected residents caught the first bus they could find to live with family members and friends in the rural provinces of Haiti.

This massive migration of internally displaced persons has wreaked havoc on already impoverished rural communities, where the average person still survives on less than $2 a day. Some rural populations (so much as) doubled overnight.

Keeping with the Haitian tradition of peasant solidarity, rural communities have been quick to take in quake survivors and have shared with them everything they have. The 80-year-old mother of the field monitor for Fon Lanbi Pou Ayiti has taken in 39 people in her small house.

Christianne Adrien, a street vendor, and her husband Ilson, a farmer, took in 18 members of her extended family. "If it were for the money, we would never have done it."

After the earthquake, more than a half million people fled Port au Prince and relocated to rural areas. They, along with thousands of peasants throughout Haiti have spent what little they have on clean water, medical supplies, clothing, bags of rice, and cans of beans for their new neighbors. Peasants have slaughtered precious cows to bring meat to patients at local hospitals.

Christianne continues, "We did this because we wanted them to have a life. If God saved the life of some people from a catastrophe of that size, it's so that we can protect the life of others. People have to live; you have to receive them."

It is here, through fellow Haitians and local grassroots networks that earthquake survivors are receiving the aid that they so desperately need. Resources are tight, but the spirit of sharing stays strong.

Clearly, the earthquake has touched each and every Lambi Fund of Haiti staff member who along with their fellow citizens sustained damages and suffered personal losses. In spite of these hardships, Lambi Fund staff members sprang into action to help address the urgent needs of 43 rural communities impacted greatly by the massive exodus out of the capital.

In collaboration with our grassroots partners, Lambi Fund convened regional assemblies of local peasants to define immediate needs and prioritize rebuilding efforts.

In the first phase, Lambi Fund focused on the delivery of food and other essentials to rural communities to meet the immediate needs of earthquake survivors who had resettled to these communities.

With the help of regional committees and other partners, the Lambi Fund was able to distribute the following:

Done (wired $712k)

-Grants to 22 grassroots groups in Artibonite, which has received over 162,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Port au Prince - to buy clothes, food, meds, and other essentials and infuse the local economy - Cash disbursements to cover losses of Fon Lanbi Pou Ayiti staff members in Port au Prince - Grants to two grassroots women's groups in Port au Prince who lost everything in the quake - to buy clothes, food, meds, and other essentials and infuse the local economy - Grants to four grassroots groups in the Northwest, which has received over 45,000 IDPs - to buy clothes, food, meds, and other essentials and infuse the local economy - Grants to 17 grassroots groups in the South, which has received over 25,000 IDPs - to buy clothes, food, meds, and other essentials and infuse the local economy - Distributed medications (value $8K, donated by UUSC) to hospital in Gwomon - Distributed tents and basic supplies to 17 grassroots groups in South (donated by Hope for Haiti) - Grants to 42 peasant organizations for Farmers Credit Funds so that 1,260 farmers in the Artibonite, South, West and Northwest departments can plant increased crops to feed themselves and IDPs with locally grown food.

Next steps in rebuilding Haiti include focusing on sustaining and strengthening development in rural areas including:

Mid and long term ($1M)

- Increase micro-enterprises with additional community microcredit funds - Increase organic, locally-grown food and clean water with expanded sustainable agriculture, reforestation and water access projects - Increase livelihoods with expanded sustainable development projects, such as pig and goat breeding, grain mills and sugar cane mills - Build 880 latrines to prevent spread of disease and increase sanitation in rural areas, as a result of rapidly growing population from IDPs - Distribute 100 wheelchairs to the large number of amputees whose limbs were crushed in the earthquake. - Expand women's programs to address the special needs of women (who are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual assault in tent cities but several organized women's groups are standing up for the rights of women and children)

Advocacy Efforts

Supporting Policy Advocacy to express the voice of the Haitian people in rebuilding Haiti will be an important component of long-term rebuilding plans. Lambi Fund is committed to taking a leadership role in advocacy by speaking out on behalf of rural communities, by creating strong partnerships with a coalition of like-minded groups working together to rebuild Haiti, and by supporting the needs of women, particularly within the context of the rebuilding effort now underway. As foreign corporations and governments jockey for rebuilding contracts, the Haitian voice has been neglected.

This cannot continue; the voice of the majority must be heard.

In order to incorporate Haitians and their perspectives, Lambi Fund has developed a five point plan for prioritizing rebuilding in Haiti:

National sovereignty. The ownership of rebuilding Haiti must come from the Haitian people. Real change must come from the majority poor. Not from politicians. Not from the elite. And not from foreign governments. Haitians must be the change agents through participatory democracy.

Decentralization. The migration of over 500,000 earthquake survivors from the rubble of Port-au-Prince to rural Haiti offers the opportunity to create a decentralized infrastructure that can lead to regional centers for economic development, better roads, public education, health care, social services and access to potable water and sanitation.

Stimulate local economy. The earthquake offers a unique opportunity for the international community to work in partnership with Haitian peasant groups to increase our capacity to feed the country and support the local economy.

Rebuild Haiti right. In addition to true land reform, Port au Prince and other damaged towns must be rebuilt with disaster resistant building codes that are rigorously monitored. Rebuilding must be done by Haitians, who are desperately in need of a boost in fair and equitable employment opportunities.

Environment must be at the center of restoring Haiti. Deforestation represents one of the greatest threats to Haiti's food security. Restoration of the environment is crucial to sustaining a functioning economy and productive agricultural sector, providing sufficient employment, and recreating natural buffers against inevitable environmental challenges, which include climate change.

Lambi Fund recognizes the critical role that will be played by women and farmers in the rebuilding of Haiti, and will continue to advocate for their inclusion in the creation of a plan and a new vision for Haiti.

Links:

• Lambi Fund Newsletter

PBS NewsHour recently interviewed Father Eddy Eustache, a priest and psychologist who serves as Director of Mental Health and Psychosocial Services for Zanmi Lasante, PIH's sister organization in Haiti. Below is an excerpt from the interview. Read the full piece at the link below: Q: What are the most common mental health challenges you are seeing in Haiti at this point?

A: Almost four months after the earthquake we are seeing people having various kinds of emotional distress responses. These include difficulty sleeping, heart palpitations, somatic complaints, and significant sadness, worry and anxiety. Some of these can be seen as normal reactions to a highly abnormal situation. However, the level of distress for many is severe. We also see people who have developed psychotic reactions, and other more acute mental health problems, since the earthquake.

One major challenge is a general lack of services in Haiti to address significant mental health problems. Haiti had few mental health professionals, and limited organized mental health services prior to the earthquake. There was not a clear understanding of the prevalence of mental health problems in Haiti prior to the earthquake, but we can expect that the mental health dimensions of the earthquake, overlaid on the pre-existing issue of poverty, will have significant ramifications for mental health. Our hope is to further develop the services needed to assist with such problems, in a culturally appropriate way, for the long-term.

Q: How are mental health workers trying to address the needs?

A: Interventions are needed that respect people's capacity to recover from such an event, that do not pathologize normative responses to such a terrible circumstance, that do not risk harm to individuals, that have some evidence for their efficacy, and that are appropriate to the Haitian context.

At Zanmi Lasante [Partners in Health] we have expanded our team to 17 psychologists from three prior to the earthquake, and to more than 50 staff focused exclusively on mental health and psychosocial services. We have been working ... to provide communal opportunities for mourning, to develop community-based supportive interventions in collaboration with schools and churches, and we have expanded basic clinical services.

This has included training of doctors and nurses in management of acute mental health problems, and planning for expansion of the system of care to include community health workers attuned to mental health, and development of effective referral networks to providers.

Read the full interview at the link below:

Links:

• Q&A: Addressing Mental Health and Trauma in Haiti

RedR has a training team in in Port-au-Prince who are delivering training to local Haitian staff employed by international NGOs, such as Save the Children, Tearfund, GOAL and many others. The training is designed to develop core skills in key areas such as logistics, water, sanitation, hygiene and security. To date, we have booked over 200 hours of course work and have delivered training to over 300 local staff from 12 different organizations. Requests for training come in daily and we are working hard to meet that demand so that our vital capacity building work can continue.

The training is based on our Disaster Response Support Service. Our trainers have been delivering on-the-job coaching and short training courses to aid workers in essential disciplines during the early phases of the response so that aid workers are not distracted from their work. As the focus of efforts moves towards recovery and reconstruction, RedR will respond with longer and typically classroom-based courses to meet changing training needs.

Thanks to our donors, our programme is already making a real difference in improving the effectiveness of aid agencies working to rebuild peoples’ lives in Haiti.

Sphere Training

WASH Training

Security Training

In response to the devastation following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that ravaged Haiti on January 12, 2010, Partners In Health (PIH) and its sister organization, Zanmi Lasante (ZL), with 4,403 local staff and a large network of public hospitals and health centers, immediately began delivering treatment and care to earthquake survivors in Port-au-Prince and across the Central and Artibonite Departments.

The long-term ramifications of this disaster will be significant and far-reaching. To address them, PIH/ZL has taken on relief, recovery, and rebuilding activities in three core areas: clinical services, social and economic support services, and health systems strengthening. This report outlines PIH/ZL’s activities in these program areas from January 12 through April 12, 2010. Highlights include:

• In the first month after the earthquake, PIH/ZL emergency medical efforts treated 4,961 critically injured patients through facility-based interventions, set up, stocked, and staffed 25 operating rooms, identified roughly 1,000 additional patients and referred them to collaborating medical relief organizations, and evacuated 140 patients to the USNS Comfort and hospitals abroad.

• PIH/ZL established clinics in four settlement sites to serve the basic healthcare needs of 88,000 displaced people in Port-au-Prince. Since January 25, these four clinics have treated more than 50,000 patients.

• During the first three months, PIH/ZL hired 358 additional local staff, shipped more than 422 tons of medicines, supplies and equipment, and deployed 516 clinical and technical volunteers.

• PIH/ZL has already supported more than 10,000 people and their families with social or economic support in the form of cash, food, agriculture assistance, educational support, jobs, or other services over the course of the past three months.

• Bolstered capacity at our 12 clinical sites in the Central Plateau and Artibonite to meet the needs of both thousands of injured survivors and tens of thousands of displaced people, who are in need of basic health services.

PIH/ZL approaches “building back better” in Haiti with the same values and principles that have guided our work for many years, namely: partnership with the Government of Haiti to achieve sustainable, long-term improvements to the country’s public health system; pragmatic solidarity with the Haitian people to address their basic needs; and a comprehensive approach to help lift communities out of poverty.

Please open the attached PDF for the full report.

• PIH Three-Month Progress Report (PDF)
  

Thanks to the quick response of Global Giving donors like you, Internews was able to immediately initiate a media response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti within days and continues to meet the information needs of the people of Haiti post-earthquake.

Your support has funded the production of over 40 humanitarian broadcasts to date: Internews Network’s daily humanitarian information program, Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen, began January 21, and reaches Haitians via 27 local radio stations, with information on safety, health, aid and reconstruction. The program is reported and produced by local journalists, who convey useful information to listeners in camps, makeshift shelters, and homes.

The show’s practical health and nutrition advice is saving lives. Even simple information can have a wide impact on the well-being of earthquake survivors. Along with receiving information, listeners rely on the program as a means to communicate their needs to the government and aid agencies.

- Frantz Larsen’s five-month-old child had been trying to drink cow’s milk for several days, after Frantz’s wife stopped breastfeeding and Frantz had been trying without success to buy milk formula. When Frantz heard a radio report that said babies should be breastfed for at least six months, he told reporters he encouraged his wife to breastfeed the baby again.

- Armand said he now makes sure his children take soap with them to camp latrines to wash up, after hearing a report on the humanitarian broadcast, Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen (News You Can Use), about disease risks incurred by people who do not wash their hands when leaving the toilet.

Internews as partners in the community: Earthquake survivors respect and trust the Internews team in Haiti. We receive over 100 SMS/text messages a day. Questions are aggregated and incorporated into the programming, and we deploy journalists to investigate and report on issues of most interest to the people.

Sample SMS/text messages received on February 23: “My name is Richard and I live in Delmas 75. I commend you for the right information you bring to the country.”

“We live in the village Renesans, and we have received no official visit… not even a bottle of water… We ask for help for the village of Renesans. Thank you.”

“Please, tell us where we can find tents and tarpaulins, and where we should get them, because I have a nurse with many children, and there one who is sick because he sleeps outside.”

Direct Link between Aid Agencies and Earthquake Survivors: Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen provides a direct link between listeners like these and the aid agencies who are providing direct services. Internews’ radio journalists have established contact with all major humanitarian players and routinely carry public service messages from the agencies and report on their aid work.

Dimitry Leger of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said “I find Internews invaluable for getting [UNFPA] messages out to the affected population. News You Can Use is a huge hit among Haitians, and its young Haitian journalists are well-trained and very sharp. Their questions give me insights on how the UN could do a better job.”

Melanie Brooks of CARE International explained how her agency relies on the radio program: “CARE has already used the program to explain to people how to improve their shelters to make them waterproof for the rainy season – information that will help keep people dry and prevent illness. Having access to such a wide audience through the Internews program allows CARE to reach far more people with important messages than we could on our own.”

Internews Reporters in Haiti Cover Clinton/Bush Visit: Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush traveled to Port-au-Prince on March 22 in the efforts to continue raising awareness and funds for Haiti. They met with President René Préval and afterwards, held a joint press conference. Local Internews reporters in Haiti covered President Préval's remarks and interviewed local people about the event.

After the press conference, which was attended by local and international press, the Presidents visited Champs de Mars, one of the largest IDP sites in Port-Au-Prince. They met with the Haitian people and spoke to them about their lives in the camps. For about an hour, they addressed solutions and fund raising and provided support to the locals. The crowds poured out to shake their hands and to get a glimpse.

Thank you - Global Giving donors. You are helping make all this possible. Please leave us feedback, comments or vote on the usefulness of this report.

Internews Local Journalists Cover Press Conference

Haitian Father Listens to News on Surivival

Internews Haiti team broadcasting 'Hope for Haiti'

Links:

• (Article):RadioWorld "Information Saves Lives"
• (Audio):Voice of America feat.Internews on rebulding media

Save the Children plans to provide emergency assistance to save lives, alleviate suffering, and support the recovery of 800,000 people (including 470,000 children) affected by the 12 January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. We plan to transition into longer term rehabilitation and reconstruction to ensure a better future for Haiti’s children.

Number of beneficiaries we plan to reach: 800,000 Number of total beneficiaries reached so far: *553,009

*number includes distributed medical supplies and medicines to support beneficiaries over 6 wk period. Please note that the beneficiary numbers have not been updated since sitrep 32 as the team is currently going through an exercise of verifying numbers.

• Haiti-3 Month Report (PDF)
  

The long-term ramifications of the earthquake in Haiti, already the poorest country in the western hemisphere by a wide margin, are staggering. One month following the devastation, PIH began to move beyond the acute phase of response in order to formulate and execute medium and long-term plans for the rebuilding of lives and livelihoods, communities, and the public health system. Though we are sure our plans will continue to develop as the needs on the ground evolve, on February 12, 2010, PIH launched a Fund for Building Back Better in Haiti to support a three-year recovery and rebuilding plan with an initial budget of $125 million.

Below we have outlined the current projected activities and efforts that the Fund will support with the knowledge that the scope of our interventions, and therefore the size of the Fund, may grow in the months to come.

Medium-Term Activities (1-6 months)

1. Continue urgent medical and surgical care operations for earthquake survivors.

PIH/ZL will sustain our expanded volunteer deployment, logistics, warehousing and distribution system in support of the increased demand for medicines, medical and surgical supplies and equipment and the need for specialized surgical and medical teams to reinforce and help train our existing staff. These efforts will continue to serve patients in Port-au-Prince at the University Hospital (HUEH) and at PIH/ZL facilities in the Central Plateau and Artibonite Departments.

2. Sustain community-based care and mobile clinic outreach within Port-au-Prince.

PIH will operate mobile clinics serving between 80,000 and 100,000 displaced people within five or six communities in Port-au-Prince to provide comprehensive primary health care, reproductive health services, treatment of pediatric malnutrition, HIV testing and referrals, and disease treatment and prevention.

3. Provide assistance to displaced people and affected households in PIH/ZL's catchment area.

In collaboration with partner organizations and through our existing community-based social and economic support initiatives, PIH/ZL will help strengthen food & agriculture, housing, safe water, education, and income generation programs for the most vulnerable people in the areas we serve.

4. Build capacity for acute trauma counseling and overall mental health services within our sites.

With key partners, PIH/ZL is conducting an initial needs assessment at our sites and in the spontaneous camps. The assessment is particularly focused on identifying consultation psychiatry needs, developing a training plan for staff and community health workers, outlining additional medicine requirements, and defining key psychosocial support activities.

5. Support the social and economic needs of Zanmi Lasante's more than 4,000 staff.

Almost all our Haitian staff have lost family members in the earthquake and are taking in relatives who have nowhere to go. To ensure these front-line workers, the majority of whom are medical personnel and community health workers, can continue to perform their jobs over the long-term, PIH/ZL is distributing financial assistance to staff to help them with basics during this very difficult time.

Long-Term Initiatives (2-3 years)

1. Expand capacity for specialty clinical services needed to care for earthquake survivors.

PIH/ZL will develop new facility and community-based capacity for post-operative care, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and mental health services by forging strategic partnerships, recruiting additional expertise, and conducting extensive training. Surgical care will be greatly strengthened at all of our facilities in the Central Plateau and Artibonite, with higher-level surgery available at five hospitals and capacity for emergency obstetrical care available at all sites.

2. Strengthen our clinical operations and the public health system.

In partnership with the Haitian Ministry of Health, PIH/ZL will strengthen our network of community health workers as well as the clinical operations at 12-15 hospitals and health centers that provide comprehensive health care to our catchment area in the Central Plateau and Artibonite Departments, which together may grow from 1.2 million to 1.7 million people.

3. Build and renovate public health infrastructure.

Construction and renovation projects, in the form of new hospitals, training centers, pharmacy/warehousing buildings, surgical suites, outpatient clinics, and inpatient wards, will take place at six sites already identified.

4. Strengthen the public medical and nursing education system in Haiti.

A new hospital and teaching center will be constructed in the town of Mirebalais, which is estimated to serve roughly 450 patients per day. The Mirebalais facility will serve as one of Haiti's national teaching hospitals, with PIH/MSPP facilities in the Central Plateau and Artibonite serving as satellite teaching sites.

5. Expand PIH/ZL's programs for social support, community development, and poverty alleviation.

Roughly 2,000 additional community health workers will be hired and trained to work in tandem with mobile clinics, health centers, and hospitals to expand the reach of services. Funding Need

On February 11, 2010, Dr. Paul Farmer articulated his view on the crisis and need in Haiti: "We are in uncharted territory here, and a certain humility about diagnoses, prescription, and prognosis is surely warranted...So what is to be done? ... Might addressing the acute needs of the displaced and injured afford us a chance to address the underlying chronic condition?" After some reflection, he summarized, "So the diagnosis is: natural disaster in a setting of great and longstanding privation... Haiti needs to build back better and stronger than before. This, then, should be the treatment plan."

While PIH/ZL's role in building back better is only a small piece of Haiti's overall plan, our vision of accompanying Haiti has resounding effects in the small country and beyond. As of February 12, 2010, we have raised roughly $57 million toward our $125 million plan to build back better. Our expectation is that $15 million will be spent before July 1, 2010, and an estimated $110 million in the two to three years that follow. We welcome and encourage both longstanding and new partners to contribute to the STAND WITH HAITI Fund as a way to engage in sustained, long-term recovery to rebuild lives, livelihoods, and communities.

Links:

• PDF version - Stand With Haiti Fund

With thousands of survivors needing amputations to save their lives following the January 12 earthquake, the PIH/Zanmi Lasante team has been increasingly concerned with how to help amputee patients literally get back on their feet.

A partnership with Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) is starting to fit these patients with prosthetic devices. With a well-stocked factory in partnership with prosthetics manufacturer Hanger, HAS has already begun accepting patients referred by PIH/ZL from the Central Plateau and Artibonite regions.

In early March, the PIH/ZL team brought three patients with lower extremity amputations to HAS for their prosthetic fitting. Staff noted the immediate change in the women as soon as they received their new legs--they were each able to stand up and walk with the aid of parallel bars, and quickly left behind their fears, prejudices, and doubts with each determined step. PIH/ZL staff also report that the three women are now able to walk as well as kick soccer balls - and next up on their agenda is dancing.

These three women are just a few of the patients who have undergone procedures at our hospitals and will be receiving prosthetic care through this partnership. Thank you for enabling this work!

Thanks to our very generous financial and medical supply donors, VIDA responded to the devastating 7. 0 earthquake in Haiti by sending a total of two containers carrying over $1.5 million in medical supplies into the triage system in Port-au-Prince.

The emergency medical supplies and equipments were distributed to numerous field hospitals, operating (but badly damaged) hospitals and clinics, and medical mission teams all of whom were delivering life saving medical care to thousands of Haitians.

VIDA continues to collect donations - both financial and medical for future shipments. Please help us meet our project goals.

As Haiti turns to its long-term rebuilding phase, VIDA is finalizing plans with its partners to help rebuild destroyed hospitals and clinics in the badly damaged Petit Goave region, just west of Port-au-Prince.

Meanwhile the 8.8 earthquake in Chile occurred just weeks after- and our team responded immediately. We have added a Global Giving project for Chile that now needs your help. Please visit the project to see our needs and progress.

Links:

• VIDA - Chile Earthquake Releif

Two months after the earthquake that killed as many as 200,000 people in Haiti, GlobalGiving’s 17 partner organizations continue to make a meaningful impact on the ground. - The Lambi Fund has already sent cash disbursements to 43 different community organizations throughout rural Haiti to purchase food, clothing, medicine, and other essential supplies for the thousands of displaced persons who returned to the rural communities following the earthquake, also helping to fuel the local economy. - RedR is providing vital training to aid workers, particularly focusing on effective distribution and warehousing, as well as courses on how to manage people and projects in emergency situations. - Comprehensive Disaster Response Services is seeing between 300 to 800 patients daily and is assisting in the establishment of a new tent village for families with small children. - Within three weeks of the earthquake, Partners in Health sent 66 planeloads to Haiti with more than 235 medical volunteers – orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical nurses and other medical professionals – and roughly 100,000 lbs of medical supplies to support the large network of local health care providers already working in the country. As the focus of the work in Haiti begins to shift from relief to recovery, you can support some of the long-term rebuilding efforts that GlobalGiving’s partners are carrying out at: http://www.globalgiving.org/haiti-recovery/. As an added bonus, GlobalGiving is MATCHING at 30% online donations up to $1000 per person made to any of these projects on TUESDAY, MARCH 16. Thank you again for your amazing support for these relief efforts on the ground.

One of the important things about working with the community closely is that you both learn to respect each other. CHF focuses on community-based development. The workers we employ to clean up are from the community, and our community mobilizers are key to all these efforts. From David Humphries, CHF Communications Manager on the ground in Port au Prince: One of the community mobilizers, Civille, took me to his home in the improvised camp at Parc Seminaire in Solino, one of the areas we are surveying for building transitional shelters. 1500 families live in the camp so maybe 7,000 - 10,000 people. But the camp is downhill from the major settlements that they have abandoned, and with the rains, it had become a swamp. As Dede, my Haitian guide, said to me: “Welcome to the Third World.” They had tents that had been distributed by a relief agency, but the tents were soaked in mud, and the canal, which passed by the camp was blocked and had the stench of raw sewage. The children ran up to me shouting ‘Yo!’ and ‘Hey, you!’ and asking for their picture to be taken – not a common experience in Haiti, where people prefer to avoid the camera. In fact, despite their living conditions and this being a ‘red zone’ we were welcomed by everyone. Perhaps that is the benefit of working with the community. I hope that we can provide this area with suitable shelter as soon as possible.

Thanks for your support since the earthquake that devastated Haiti January 12th. With your help, the Lambi Fund of Haiti has been able to take extraordinary action to help meet the dire need throughout the country. Because of the Lambi Fund's deep ties with rural communities throughout Haiti, we are uniquely placed to support rural areas that have absorbed thousands of earthquake survivors that fled the rubble of Port-au-Prince, most with nothing more than the shirt on their backs. In the Haitian tradition of peasant solidarity, rural communities took in quake survivors and shared with them everything they had. As just one small example, the 80-year-old mother of one Lambi Fund staff member has taken in 39 people in her small house. As you can imagine, the already limited resources of rural community organizations quickly began to dry up, which is why we've devoted our immediate response primarily to providing financial resources to our trusted local partners so they can provide survivors with basic needs. Thanks to your support, 43 different community organizations throughout rural Haiti received cash disbursements to purchase food, clothing, medicine, and other essential supplies for the thousands of displaced persons who returned to the rural communities following the earthquake. This helped infuse the local economy as well. You are also making a difference with several women's groups in Port-au-Prince who lost everything in the earthquake, but are still standing up for the rights of women and children. With your additional support, you can continue to make a difference in Haiti by supporting what Lambi Fund has been doing in Haiti for the past 16 years - partnering with community organizations to strengthen their capacity to produce locally grown food, improve water access, expand pig and goat raising enterprises, and invest in community micro-credit funds. These programs allow more families to eat, more parents to work, and more children to go to school - all of which is fundamental to the long-term recovery and sustainability of Haiti. It is important to stress that the recovery will take time, as it has for major catastrophes before it, but with your continued commitment, Haiti will set itself on a new course of progress. On behalf of the Lambi Fund of Haiti and the people of Haiti, thank you for making all of this possible. Sincerely, Josette Perard Port-au-Prince, Haiti Lambi Fund of Haiti Country Director

Lambi Fund earthquake recovery meeting with locals

Links:

• Visit Lambi Fund's website
• Read more about our Earthquake Recovery Plans
• Follow Lambi Fund on facebook

From David Humphries, CHF Communications Manager-- One of the key concepts that CHF works by is what we call ‘capacity building’. What this means is training the local people in a country so that by the time CHF leaves, they are able to continue the same level and quality of work – without us. Even in an emergency situation we practice this, and I had the good fortune this morning of visiting our heavy machinery technical specialist, Dale Lawson, training 12 Haitians in how to operate Caterpillar vehicles. One of the problems Haiti has faced before is a dearth of skilled labor so CHF has already undertaken a joint training program with Caterpillar to train Haitian operators (see [link to the public private partnerships piece]). But now, after the earthquake, demand for skilled operators has increased even more. I met Dale and his team on their first lesson. They were focusing on safety. The next stage will be basic maintenance – oiling, checking all the parts to make sure the vehicle is in good condition. Then they will start to get behind the controls. Our aim is for the trainees to reach international standards. Dale said: “In the west, they’d do all these basics at first in a parking lot. Here, they’ll be learning in a real environment.” Although my French is extremely rusty I was able to chat with the group of trainees, who were aged between 18 and 42. It was their first time working with CHF and despite most of them being very young, some had up to four children. After a while they asked for a basic English lesson. One of the most popular statements was “I want to go to Miami!” but at the end one of them grinned and told me: “We want to always work for CHF!” I hope they always work operating heavy machinery. Not for CHF, but for the private sector in Haiti, as it recovers from this earthquake and directs its own development for the future.

Links:

• visit our website for more information on our response in Haiti

In his testimony today before a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, Save the Children President Charles MacCormack urged Congress to help ensure a brighter future for Haiti and its children by strengthening the capacity of its government, citizens and private sector.

He noted that well-coordinated collaboration between the Haitian government and civil society, the United Nations, the U.S. and other donors and non-governmental organizations, such as Save the Children, was essential to addressing both the immediate and long-term development needs of the country.

MacCormack shared his observations from his two visits to Haiti since the magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck over three weeks ago. "While the Haitian people are extremely resilient and have exhibited much patience, their challenge is daunting," said CharlesMacCormack. "It will take a collective effort today to give the children and families of Haiti a better tomorrow."

In his testimony, MacCormack said that it will take 10 years and a substantial investment to rebuild the country, and will require a coordinated and transparent response. To help the Haiti government redirect its funding into investments that would help in its recovery, MacCormack proposed that Congress expand Haiti's trade preferences to include additional exports, issue grants instead of loans to the Haitian government and support cancelling Haiti's nearly $1 billion international debt.

"Future funds must go to providing children and families access to health services, education and economic opportunities," said McCormack. "This is a long-term disaster and the U.S. must commit for the long-haul. Sustaining significant investment over the next 10 years will be critical to ensuring the well-being of children and their families."

MacCormack applauded President Obama's appointment of USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah to oversee the coordination of the U.S. humanitarian response to the Haiti earthquake but urged that this role be expanded to include the long-term development needs of the country.

"The U.S., with non-governmental organizations and donors, should intensify its commitment to building the capacity and systems of the Haitian government and Haitian civil society to lead and manage their own development," said MacCormack. "We must support Haitians in building back better for the children of Haiti."

Drawing on lessons learned from Save the Children's response to the 2004 Asian tsunami, MacCormack noted that putting Haitians at the center of their own development and recognizing the critical role of women and youth in the decision-making process would be essential for Haiti's recovery.

On the ground in Haiti for over 32 years, Save the Children launched one of its largest disaster responses ever. Save the Children has reached more than 200,000 children and adults, providing lifesaving food, medicines and supplies. In addition, the organization is working to protect vulnerable children, providing spaces to play and helping trace unaccompanied children to reunite them with their families.

Six weeks after the earthquake struck, David Humphries, Communications Manager for CHF International, is in Haiti. He will be producing daily blogs of the situation on the ground.

Port au Prince has changed since I visited last November. The hotel where I stayed has been obliterated. The shop where I bought food and water is now a pile of concrete. Colleagues’ houses where I enjoyed dinner are now pancaked.

Driving from the chaotic and crowded airport, internally displaced person camps are immediately evident. Large numbers of white tents — from relief efforts — are visible, but something else was visible — dark clouds.

In November the sun shone every day, but today the clouds are a sign of something to come.

Within a few hours, as darkness fell, torrential rain struck, like nothing I have seen in Europe or the US. In just twenty minutes the tropical rain had swamped roads. Of course, this was the moment when our car developed a flat tire and we had to rush for shelter while we found another vehicle. But this small inconvenience was just the briefest taste of what people living in tents were experiencing and will experience. ‘Tent cities’, whether made up of donated tents or makeshift can be seen everywhere. They are on roads, football fields, any open ground. Many families are camping in tents outside thier houses or on the side of a road; where one would expect to see a car parked, that’s where a family is living.

The rain storm was over soon and most of the rain evaporated from the roads. But this was a harbinger of what is to come. The rainy season will come soon — it begins as early as March — and is followed by the contiguous tropical storm season which lasts until November. Flooding will cause sanitation hazards and disease.

CHF is embarking on a project to produce over 5000 transitional shelters for families; building or improving temporary homes to allow Haitians to live in safe, sanitary conditions for up to several years as the major reconstruction takes place.

Looking at the rain, we all know it’s a race against time.

Dear Supporters,

Due to the continuing need on the ground and in the absence of municipal healthcare workers and funding, the SHINE/CDRS mission in Haiti will be extended for four to six weeks.

With your support, we have collected in excess of $180,000. With the extension in mind, our aim is to reach fundraising goal of $250,000 which will enable us to run the services for the additional time period and handover at that point to local non profits.

We need medical volunteers to staff the main facility and outreach camps and mobile health units. Ground teams see between 300 to 800 patients daily, and are working closely with AEMIR Haiti to facilitate the distribution of much-needed food and water.

SHINE/CDRS is also assisting in the establishment of a new tent village for families with small children. We hope to put in place a medical camp that will attend to the needs of mothers-to-be and children.

Please visit us on our new website, www.shinehumanity.org. And now, Words of Appreciation for Todd Shea (Executive Director, CDRS):

1. “The success of IMANA mission is due to sincerity, quick action and most of all networking and collaboration. First credit goes to our relief chairman Ismail Mehr and Tod Shea of CDRS who acted fast and decided to make a team of IMANA, CDRS/SHINE and AIMER Haiti which brought further cooperation of other organizations like USAID to Zakat Foundation.”   Dr. Parvaiz Malik   President Federation of Islamic Medical Associations [FIMA]                                                       and Member IMANA Relief

2. "Todd I was really impressed with your dedication and hard work. I guess the word NO has no place in your dictionary. I was pleasantly surprised to come across people who knew of you once they saw you photos.”                M Azhar Ali  MD                 Feb 18, 2010

3. “ It was an honor  to serve with you Todd. ” Ronald A. Tomo MPA, CCP, CNA VP & Chief Information Officer Nassau University Medical Center
 February 9, 2010

                                  4.  “I want to thank you again for all you did for me from finding me a place to stay in DC, getting me fantastic transportation from Santo Domingo to Haiti, the city tour of P-a-P, the midnight egg sandwiches, and so much more. I consider the week I spent in Haiti the most important significant thing I have done professionally and again wish to thank-you for your part in making it happen.” Janet Jasper  Glen Ellyn, IL  60137                                         February 8, 2010

5. “Todd has really proved that even in very difficult circumstances, when there is a will there is a way and by creating a set up and  a platform , where we could all work was a great achievement. Rest of the components of the team starting from communication, logistics, nursing and doctors really blended very well and I can say with utmost confidence that this was the best combination. This model should be a good one for IMANA relief to expand on and refine.” Saeed Akhter MD, MPH, FACS Chairman and Professor of Surgery Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan February 14, 2010

6. "Todd,  I always knew you are doing a wonderful work with remarkable consistency and dedication but after visiting you in Haiti I am convinced.  Thank you for making our team's  stay so positive. Please keep up the good work."                                     Asim Ashary  CFO SHINE                                                     February 20, 2010

8. “We are all extremely proud of you Todd, it is not easy to do what you are doing. Thank you once again for taking such good care of all of us and keeping the atmosphere so positive.”                                                                                         Farzana Naqvi MD.   Board Member, SHINE                                                                           Feb 20, 2010

"I was deeply touched after reading all the attributes dedicated to your relentless efforts from these people who witnessed your commitment and hard work up close and first hand."                         Adeela Ahsan MD. Board Member, SHINE February 21, 2010

Save the Children plans to provide emergency assistance to save lives, alleviate suffering, and support the recovery of 800,000 people (including 470,000 children) affected by the earthquake in Haiti. We plan to transition into longer term rehabilitation and reconstruction to ensure a better future for Haiti’s children.

Number of beneficiaries we plan to reach: 800,000

Number of total beneficiaries reached so far: *502,766 *number includes distributed medical supplies and medicines to support beneficiaries over 6 wk period

Credit: Getty Images North America

US Deputy Chief of Mission David E. Lindwall visited Petit-Goave on Sunday, February 21. Accompanied by representatives from CHF and the U.S. Marines, the Deputy Chief of Mission visited a variety of sites in the area, including the hard-hit areas of downtown Petit-Goave and the devastated coastal neighborhood of Petite Guinee where CHF has been performing cash-for-work activities.

Discussing strategy

CHF's cash for work programs are well underway in the cities of Port au Prince and the Petit Goave. Of the 586 workers currently employed in Petit Goave, 40% are women.

Marie Bonese Point Du Jour is a 35 year-old mother with a 9-year-old son and former businesswoman who lived in Port-au-Prince. after the earthquake she moved to Petit Goave and is now employed with a CHF cash for work team there.

Marie Bonese Point Du Jour

“I am content, I do not regret coming to Petit-Goâve after this catastrophe. This program enabled me to earn 2400 gourds (US$69) over the past two weeks. I would like to spend several weeks working like this, with an aim of saving a small sum which would enable me to get back on my feet and take care of my only son.” She added: “I will remain in Petit-Goâve for as long as possible because I feel safe here.”

Rosita Saint-Jean is a 56 year-old mother with 4 sons and a widow (prior to quake). She is a resident of Chabanne, next to the area of Petite Guinee, which was destroyed by the quake.

"The money that I earned from this program is a deliverance for me and my family. I will pay a small debt, then buy food to keep my sons healthy. I thank the person who gave this job to me," she says.

RedR sent a team to Haiti to assess what training and support would be needed as the international community works with Haitians to provide relief to people affected by the disaster.

The team’s work has shown that relief workers on the ground need more training in logistics - such as effective distribution and warehousing, as well as courses on how to manage people and projects in emergency situations. There is also a need for training and support in technical areas like camp management, site planning and structural assessment. And the team anticipate that training in water and sanitation will be needed once more permanent sites are planned.

Thanks to people like you, RedR was able to begin on-the-job training at the end of February with content delivered as short, open courses of one to two days duration.

Thank you so much for your support. Watch this space for further updates.

I traveled to Haiti on February 9th to meet with Rotary 4060 in Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic. This was Rotary 4060’s Disaster Relief Committee meeting to plan, schedule, allocate donated funds, map and plan truck convoys to Port-au-Prince (PAP) and, to introduce WaterBrick to its members. It was decided that WaterBrick would be warehoused and distributed from 4060’s UN Cargo location in PAP. In PAP, I was introduced to and met with Dr. Claude Surena, President of Haiti’s Medical Association, to discuss their need for WaterBrick and how distribution would be implemented. Dr. Surena said they needed a minimum of 400,000 WaterBricks which would be 2 per their 200,000 tents requested from the United Nations that would arrive soon. Dr. Surena stated that water and food storage containers were necessary to establish sustainability for the homeless but that 750,000 was really needed to make a real difference. The first container load of WaterBricks is now on its way to Port-au-Prince in Haiti with additional manufacturing underway for many future loads to be delivered.

Also, we delivered food, medications and WaterBricks to the Good Samaritan Hospital and two orphanages in PAP. We then made commitments to return with additional WaterBricks and food on our next trip in early March. After our forty-hour convoy to deliver these much needed supplies and, without sleep, we returned back to Santo Domingo and I flew home on February 16th with a much better understanding about the needs of Haiti and its many homeless families. We need to continue our efforts with greater commitment and understanding that this is only the beginning of the worst; yet to come.

On February 16th, CHF completed the first payroll for its ongoing cash-for-work earthquake recovery project. In less than two hours, CHF paid 429 workers for their two-week participation removing rubble from streets, public buildings, and private homes in Petit Goave. This was the fastest and most orderly payroll CHF has ever seen in Petit-Goave. During the first two weeks of clean up activities in Petit Goave, workers removed nearly 1600 cubic meters of rubble and CHF has paid more than US$30,000 directly to workers.

Thank you for your continuing support of CHF as we work to put the people of Haiti back on their feet.

Dorzely Octave is a 42 year old mother of eight children, aged between 10 and 24 years old. She is the head of household and supports her family alone. Before the earthquake, Dorzely had a small business selling coffee and bread and kept her supplies in a storage place in Delmas. But when the quake struck, the building was destroyed. All of her stock and materials inside were unsalvageable.

Dorzely is now part of CHF’s rubble removal team working Delmas. On February 8, she was working on Delmas 17 with the rest of her team. The ‘HIMO’ rubble removal teams are an essential element of recovery from earthquakes and other natural disasters. Not only do they undertake essential clean up work, they restore people’s livelihoods by employing them in cash for work activities that enable them to support their families. These teams are also empowering, as they employ Haitian men and women in the recovery efforts, making them active participants rather than passive ‘beneficiairies’. With purpose and a sense of solidarity, it becomes their recovery process.

CHF’s HIMO teams consist of 12 people, and we aim to have a balance of men and women – our experience is that women are capable of doing the same work as men in rubble removal. Dorzely says:

“I am proud to be part of this team. We are helping to clean the streets. I am able to help with the clean-up efforts. My job is to take the stones and debris and put it into the wheelbarrows. It is great to be a woman on this team because I am working with all of these men and I can prove that I am just as strong as they are.”

Dorzely was in a small town just on the outskirts of Port au Prince when the quake hit. She immediately tried to get back into the city to get to her house:

“My kids were in the house when the earthquake hit. I was so afraid because I was not with them. But when I came back to the city, I found them all alive with only some small injures. My house did not fall, but it is pretty damaged. One of my daughters is sick. With my first pay check I will take her to the doctor and buy her the medicine that she needs. With the second pay check I will try to purchase some of the items I lost and re-start my business.”

Zanmi Lasante staff continue to work around the clock to provide care to the many injured and sick still arriving at Port-au-Prince's General Hospital (HUEH), as well as at their clinics and at field hospitals they set up during the first week after the earthquake.

MADRE has been working with Partners in Health to provide Zanmi Lasante with medicine and medical supplies.

Andrew Marx, Partners in Health's Director of Communications, recently returned from Haiti. In his words:

"...inspired is what I felt upon seeing our Haitian partner organization Zanmi Lasante spring into action, doing what they do best—what they've been doing for over 25 years—working in partnership with the residents of destitute communities to provide quality health care and essential social services."

Staff at the clinics and the hospitals have noticed a change in the type of injuries they are seeing. Many people who sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the earthquake are now coming in to seek treatment. Doctors are very worried about the high numbers of people who are at risk of infection from untreated wounds. MADRE will continue to work with our partners in Haiti to respond to the needs of people affected by the earthquake.

At the one-month mark of the crisis, Save the Children has reached 477,000 children and adult members of their families with lifesaving immediate relief.

*See attached document for full fact sheet

• Haiti_earthquake_One_Month_On_fact_sheet.pdf (PDF)
  

SHINE/CDRS Haiti Update Feb 9th, 2010

SHINE/CDRS will deploy two of its own teams to Haiti. The first leaves out of Southern California on Feb 11th, and among the 12 team members are two SHINE board members, Asim Ashary (Chief Financial Officer) and Dr. Farzana Naqvi. The next group leaves on Feb 19th, and will consist of 24 doctors, nurses and non-medical personnel.

We are now in Week 3 of the Haiti mission. Operations are running smoothly on the ground. The main mulit-agency hospital in Bojeaux Barc continues to see upwards of 300 patients a day who present with a variety of issues - including post operative care, infections and primary health conditions. We are currently staffed by 25 volunteers from three different agencies across the United Sates, with each individual performing at a high level of excellency.

Medical volunteers are providing care out of the main hospital, as well as deploying to surrounding general hospitals, community hospitals and church clinics. They are also conducting two to three outreach missions daily to poor neighborhoods. On one occasion earlier this week, some of the volunteers working the night shift at the general hospital were able to save the life of a young woman who was hemorrhaging from an ectopic pregnancy. In addition, Executive DIrector Todd Shea met with actor/humanitarian Sean Penn and his foundation representatives on the ground last week and he has been asked to provide medical volunteers to the facilities that the foundation runs in Haiti.

SHINE/CDRS is also supplying food, water and medical supplies to camps housing the homeless, distributing rice, cornmeal, and other staple food products. We are continuing an appeal for donations of baby food, infant formula and oral rehydration salts.

“So many children and families have gone now three weeks with barely any steady food supply. We’ve met a pregnant mother who has told us that since the earthquake, her children had only been eating a meal a day, without vegetables or meat.” Halane Hussein, Save the Children’s Emergency Advisor in Haiti.

Save the Children's work is taking place in Port-au-Prince and in nearby communities; we are also monitoring the relocation of families away from Port-au-Prince.

Emergency Health Care • On February 4, 1,344 patients were treated by our 13 mobile health teams in 36 camps. • A new clinic was established in Gaston Margon, outside the main town of Carrefour, where conditions were significantly worse than the camps in the town • In Jacmel, our seven mobile teams vaccinated children against measles on February 4. They also distributed vitamins and screened children for malnutrition. • In Leogane, a field hospital supported by Save the Children and operated by a partner, World Wide Villages, has treated approximately 250 patients • Save the Children and another partner did an aerial assessment of rural areas and identified a site where some 250 homeless families were gathered. A mobile team health team was dispatched.

Food • Save the Children is conducting a two-week, mass food distribution to some 285,000 children and adults in Martisant and Tabarre, Port-au-Prince in cooperation with the World Food Program. To date, over 95,000 people have benefited from our food relief.

Water • In Port-au-Prince, Carrefour Feuilles and Jacmel, 29,000 children and adults have access to clean water though Save the Children. • Latrines and showers we have constructed are available to 13,800 people. • Save the Children and partner agencies are delivering water by tanker truck to distribution points we have created. • In Leogane, we distributed approximately 215,000 water purification tablets – providing more than 300 families with safe water. We also trained 12 health agents in household water treatment and hygiene promotion in the community.

Shelter and Non-Food Relief Items • 8,600 people have received essential non-food relief items, such as hygiene supplies and plastic sheeting for shelter. • 125 tents are being provided for a small settlement of homeless families in Cote de Fer. Blankets, jerry cans and hygiene kits will also be distributed. • The first distributions of items for some 580 families in Jamal will take place on February 6. • 1,000 family-size tents are being shipped by Save the Children from China, where the agency responded to that nation’s earthquake in 2008. • 100 semi-permanent structures for housing or other uses have been ordered.

Child Protection • 18 Child Friendly Spaces in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel have been opened. Each serves an average of over 100 children a day through structured, supportive activities. Save the Children plans to open hundreds of these essential sites for children. • Save the Children has trained 50 social workers from other nongovernmental organizations to provide psychosocial support to children, including training in child protection policies and how to conduct activities at our Child Friendly Spaces. • The agency has been requested by the UN to coordinate the reunification of separated children with their families.

Education • Save the Children will be among the lead agencies to rapidly restore education for children to provide them with a structured, secure environment. Our goal is to establish 3,000 temporary learning spaces targeting at least 80,000 children • We are assisting the Ministry of Education in a needs assessment to determine the number of schools that have been destroyed, partially damaged and those that were not damaged. The assessment will also identify the number of children and teachers in the affected areas. • Field visits by our staff in three camps found no teachers, but children and parents anxious for education to resume.

Livelihoods • Save the Children plans to offer “cash-for-work” to clear out irrigation channels for the up-coming planting season.

Save the Children has committed to a five-year Build Back Better initiative, which will take us from the relief and recovery phase to working with families to rebuild their communities. The strategy is similar to the five-year rebuilding initiative we launched in Aceh Province, Indonesia following the epic December 2004 tsunami. Our goal is to provide emergency assistance to save lives, alleviate suffering, and support the recovery of 800,000 people (including 470,000 children) affected by the earthquake, and transition into longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction to ensure a better future for Haiti’s children.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

SHINE/CDRS started from nothing on January 14th. Now we assist with a multi-agency effort that has saved hundreds of lives and taken some of the pressure off of tertiary care hospitals. As a team, we have a wealth of disaster relief experience and a strong partnership with a reputable local organization. To date, we have: Delivered medical care to over 4,000 patients

Delivered food aid and water to thousands affected by the quake

Facilitated over 100 medical staff and logistics support volunteers

Maintained a well-stocked pharmacy

A secure compound with professional security staff and around the clock support with four vehicles and six local employees

We are pleased to announce that we are the proud recipient of a grant from the Canadian agency, IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation) (www.idrf.ca) which covers much-needed food aid, water and medical supplies needed for earthquake survivors.

We now need your support with a few more key resources and pieces of equipment to enhance our capabilities and service delivery. Our running costs are $10,000 a week to keeping existing services going. You have helped us come so far- Please help us see this mission successfully through till its conclusion in early March.

To view a list of the supplies that we need, please see the attached file.

To those of you who have deployed with us, our deepest thanks and appreciation. They have some kind words of feedback to offer us. Monica Adorno, an emergency responder who plans to redeploy says: “Todd Shea is simply awesome. What SHINE/CDRS has accomplished on the ground with so little is staggering..”

Dr. Nabile Safdar, also of IMANA, adds: “SHINE/CDRS is bringing their experience to the relief effort in Haiti. For many IMANA Relief volunteers, Todd Shea and his crew were among the first to greet them at the airport, help arrange for transportation, and provide valuable debriefings regarding what to expect.”

For more information, please contact Laila Karamally at 714-261 1044 or lailakaramally@cdrspakistan.org

Thank you, Todd Shea Executive Director Comprehensive Disaster Response Services Bojeux Parc Joint Medical Relief Mission (CDRS/SHINE, IMANA, Destiny World Outreach and Aimer Haiti) Haiti Cell Phone: 011-509-3790-2108 e-mail: toddshea@cdrspakistan.org

• Supply needs (XLS)

Two recent videos highlight the work you're supporting in Haiti.

From TIME magazine and Unicef, the videos show the work of local journalists in Haiti, producing daily news and distributing radios so those affected by the earthquake have accurate information about aid, health, and recovery.

Thank you again for your support! Please share these videos with others who might be interested in humanitarian media in Haiti.

Links:

• Radio News Saves Lives in Haiti (TIME)
• Radio links Haitian families to life-saving aid (Unicef)

PIH had more than 100 doctors, 600 nurses, and a total of 4,000 Haitian employees on the ground in Haiti working from 12 existing PIH medical facilities in Haiti before the earthquake struck on January 12th. • PIH quickly established field hospitals in Port-au-Prince, helping set up 20 operating rooms, 12 of which were able to function around the clock. • PIH established a comprehensive triage and relief transfer system to move patients back and forth from Port-au-Prince to PIH sites in the Central Plateau and Lower Artibonite Valley. • PIH is evacuating patients in critical condition to hospitals in the United States and Dominican Republic as well as to the U.S.N.S. Comfort. • PIH has sent 66 plane loads with more than 235 medical volunteers – orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical nurses and other medical professionals – and roughly 100,000 lbs of medical supplies to support the large network of PIH’s local health care providers already working in Haiti. • The long-term ramifications in Haiti are going to be significant and far-reaching with a new, large group of vulnerable and displaced people. PIH has the experience and commitment to Stand With Haiti for many years to come.

Looking ahead, PIH’s efforts will be spent in three core areas: 1) supporting the public sector’s ability to provide health care; 2) mobilizing people at the grassroots level to participate in the health care system; and 3) addressing the mid- and long-term health, social, and economic ramifications of the resettlement of tens of thousands of people from Port-au-Prince to areas where PIH works.

A surgical team at PIH's main hospital in Cange, Haiti

The church in Cange, Haiti - turned into a patient ward

Links:

• Solar Power and PIH - a key to help Haiti "Build Back Better"
• Nurse Erik Bartkowiak recounts the MedEvac flight from Haiti

Number of beneficiaries we plan to reach: 600,000 Number of total beneficiaries reached so far: 172,751 Overview of Activities by Sector:

Non-Food Items (NFIs) Distribution: 8600 people are benefitting from NFIs Save the Children (SC) has distributed

WASH: Approximately 16,500 beneficiaries are receiving clean water Health: Save the Children has carried out 2857 medical consultations in the last week, including 660 children under 5 years through the mobile clinics. Save the Children is responsible for providing health services in 32 camps/locations. Save the Children is playing a significant role in strategic discussions with World Health Organization (WHO) in the national health cluster, and is also responsible for leading the sub-national health cluster in Leogane and the sub-cluster for mobile clinics in Jacmel.

The priority of the health cluster is moving towards provision of primary health services through mobile clinics and fixed health facilities. A national immunization campaign is planned to start next week.

Nutrition: · 31 nutritional and 109 health agents from the commune of Leogane have been trained as breastfeeding promoters and a number of these will be trained as breastfeeding counselors next week.

Child Protection · 17 Mobile Child Friendly Spaces are up and running in Port-au-Prince (PAP) and Jacmel. Child Protection programs will soon be starting in Leogane as well.

Food/Livelihoods: · SC food distributions have reached over 30,000 beneficiaries thus far. This number will increase greatly once World Food Programme (WFP) distributions in PAP begin tomorrow and continue for the next 2 weeks.

Just an update to let our supporters know that we have collected an additional 12 pallets of medical supplies this week - with more coming in daily. As the materials arrive they are sorted, documented and then arranged on wooden pallets so they can be shipped safely to the destination and distributed in an organized manner.

The medical supplies are collected from many partners in the Bay Area - hospitals and clinics that we have long standing relationships with.

Our work has a threefold purpose- disaster relief, general medical relief year long in Latin America and saving/diverting what would be medical waste from Bay Area landfills.

If you work in the medical industry and can benefit from our life saving work - please contact us!

RedR’s assessment team is now looking at what support aid agencies need as they work to deliver emergency aid to people affected by the earthquake. Technical training in the delivery of emergency water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter and logistics is high on the list of priorities, while international and local relief workers are also likely to require training in security and camp and project management.

Our needs assessment team is also examining training needs in the implementation of humanitarian standards and best practice in the field, such as technical standards under the SPHERE framework, the Humanitarian Accountability Framework aimed at making humanitarian action accountable to beneficiaries, and People in Aid, which promotes good practice in management and support of aid personnel.

Donations received from donors to Global Giving and other RedR supporters have allowed RedR to deliver an initial two-month training programme: with your generous support we hope to be able to extend this to a 12 month programme.

Dr. Paul Farmer, PIH co-Founder and United Nations Deputy Special Envoy for Haiti, recently testified at the “Haiti: From Rescue to Reconstruction” hearing of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"I am at my core optimistic about the possibilities before us and the potential of our support to help rescue and transform our poorest neighbor," stated Paul in his submitted testimony. "The response from citizens of the United States to the recent events in Haiti has been overwhelming and encouraging. There is the promise of solidarity by our leadership to make long-term commitments to the kinds of investments needed in Haiti—and to fulfilling them."

"For two centuries, the Haitian people have struggled for basic human and economic rights, the right to health care, the right to education, the right to work, the right to dignity and independence,"he continued. "These goals, which Haitians share with people all over the world, should direct our policies of aid and rebuilding."

Read and watch the complete testimony at the link below:

Links:

• Read and watch Dr. Paul Farmer's testimony

Equipping Medical Staff in Haiti

MADRE has been working with Partners in Health to support Zanmi Lasante as they continue providing emergency care for the earthquake survivors in Port-au-Prince and for those who have managed to flee the city.

Through the support and cooperation of many aid agencies, within the first days after the earthquake, the general hospital in Port-au-Prince (HUEH) was equipped to receive survivors. Since then, medical staff has been working around the clock to treat the many severe injuries people sustained during the disaster.

Zanmi Lasante medical staff has also been receiving patients in their clinics and at field hospitals around Haiti to deal with the flow of patients fleeing Port-au-Prince. Medical staff has reported that the need for orthopedic surgeons is dropping, but that there is an increased need for post-operational care.

Ophelia Dahl, Executive Director of Partners in Health, reported from her trip to Haiti this week that the hospitals and clinics are still receiving people with untreated injuries, a full two weeks after the disaster.

Women's Health Delegation Responds to the Most Pressing Health Needs in Haiti

MADRE partnered with Circle of Health International (COHI) to send several teams of women's health workers into Haiti over the last two weeks. Seven volunteers are now on the ground in Haiti, working out of Fond Parisien, a Haitian town on the border with the Dominican Republic. Every day, more earthquake survivors arrive in packed buses as they flee the devastation of Port-au-Prince. In addition to serving the general population of survivors, the volunteers are caring for pregnant women and victims of sexual abuse.

One team member has begun the Rapid Health Assessment, an assessment to identify the most pressing women's health needs. To this end, a group of Haitian women have been hired to conduct interviews and they are currently being trained in interviewing skills.

Providing Medical Care to the Most Vulnerable

MADRE is working with SOFA, a national Haitian women's organization, to provide medical services to earthquake survivors. SOFA and MADRE partnered in 1996 to build Klinik Fanm, the first Haitian clinic dedicated exclusively to women's health and human rights. Though the clinic building was damaged in the earthquake, the doctors and women's health practitioners have managed to set up a temporary clinic for survivors, and they are treating a steady stream of patients every day.

Thanks to your generosity, almost a million dollars from about 13,000 individual donors is making its way to Haiti for earthquake relief efforts. Thank you! GlobalGiving’s 17 partner organizations on the ground are helping provide emergency medical care, shelter, and food in the immediate post-earthquake efforts and providing longer-term support in areas including rebuilding and training. Impact on the ground is already being seen, including:

- Deep Springs International distributed enough clean water tablets to purify over 100,000 liters of water at a school in Leogane, 1 million liters of water in two field hospitals, and an additional half million liters will be distributed throughout the countryside by mobile medical teams. (www.globalgiving.org/4582)

- Internews is now airing daily humanitarian information radio programs on 21 local and national stations in Haiti. Reported by local journalists, information includes where to find water, tips on avoiding water-borne illnesses, location of medical clinics and special camps for children and orphans, plans for recovery and jobs, and more. (www.globalgiving.org/4572)

- CDRS assisted in setting up a multi-agency field hospital at Bojeux Parc, right at the city limits of Port Au Prince, which is now seeing up to 200 patients a day. (www.globalgiving.org/4592)

Four new projects focusing on Haiti earthquake relief efforts have been added recently to the GlobalGiving site. They are: 1) Architecture for Humanity - to develop a long-term rebuilding plan for sustainable housing, schools, and community centers. (www.globalgiving.org/4605

2) Freeplay Radio – to provide robust, solar-powered radios to earthquake survivors so that they can access critical information (www.globalgiving.org/4608)

3) GHESKIO Center – to replenish supplies of a local Haitian hospital so that it can continue humanitarian and emergency care (www.globalgiving.org/4611)

4) Water Missions International – to provide solar-powered water purification systems that can be used by communities in both the long- and short-term relief efforts (www.globalgiving.org/4598)

You can read more firsthand accounts and project updates from our partners in Haiti at http://www.globalgiving.org/haiti-earthquake-updates/

January 27th: First Shipment of Aquatabs Arrives! “Our first distribution was to a school building in Leogane. Several hundred people are living there with no access to clean water. We distributed enough tabs to purify over 100,000 liters of water at the school!” John Smith, DSI Volunteer Additional distributions include: -Two field hospitals received enough Aquatabs to purify 1 million liters. Each patient receives a strip of tabs. -Mobile doctor team distributing tabs as they go into the countryside. An additional ½ million liters will be treated -A distribution was held in accord with the US Marines outside one of their camps “People are excited to get the tabs because many of them understand the dangers of their water situation. Also, they know how to use them already.” A special thank you to the people of Lanxess for their donation of Aquatabs. Additional News: Water Treatment Training: 150 health agents and 36 Monitrices (community health workers) have been trained and provided with Aquatabs to distribute Buckets: Negotiations with the local bucket factory are complete. Jolivert: Jolivert, our first production site in northern Haiti, is producing 136 liters per day of Gadyen Dlo (liquid chlorine).

5 Survive In this Home, Including an Infant

“The spirit of the Haitian people has been remarkable. The word resilience does not do it justice. Our national staff has come back to work, often under incredibly difficult circumstances, to help the children of Haiti when they need it the most. On the streets—where tens of thousands still sleep each night—and in hundreds of makeshift camps that have sprung up in clearings amongst the rubble—there is still a sense of community where neighbours and strangers alike are working together to help each other survive.” - Lee Nelson, Country Director, Save the Children in Haiti

An amazing 360 panoramic view to give a sense of what it is like for children and their families living in impromptu camps: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/haiti360/

Internews’ daily humanitarian information program, Nouvelles-Utiles, is now airing on 21 local and national radio stations in Haiti since beginning daily broadcast on January 21. Reported by local journalists, stories in the program have included: where to find water, tips on avoiding water-borne illnesses, the location of medical clinics and special camps for children and orphans, plans for recovery & jobs, and more.

Radio stations are eager to air the programming, and individuals are grateful for the information. “People are stunned, dazed, and they’re still walking around in a bit of a dream wondering what’s going on with their lives, and I think one little bit of certainty they can have is to know what’s going on around them,” said Yves Colon, Internews Journalism Advisor in Haiti.

“Haiti is a poor country – we have so many troubles. It’s really nice to know that people are thinking about us,” said Gaelle Alexis, a Haitian journalist who was rescued by her husband after 10 hours under rubble.

On Friday, January 22, Alexis worked with Internews to translate MTV’s Hope for Haiti Now telethon into Creole for Haitian listeners. Internews facilitated the broadcast of the telethon into Haiti together with national radio and television stations with support from MTV, Westwood One, the BBC and CNN. (See Links for a video of the broadcast).

Thank you for your continued support – the flow of news to Haitians is critically important, and with your help, Internews will continue to make sure that local-language, accurate information reaches the people who need it most.

Links:

• Video: MTV telethon broadcast into Haiti
• Listen to Nouvelles-Utiles (Creole)

Judith Louise lost her 6-year-old son in the earthquake and very nearly lost her 15-day-old baby boy, who does not yet have a name because he has not been baptized.

"When the earthquake struck, I was in the bedroom," said Judith Louise.

"I tried to run, but it knocked me down and I couldn't go back inside to grab the child. Outside, they asked me where was my baby. I told them I didn't know."

"The baby's grandfather went back inside and he saw that the baby had fallen on the ground. The wall had collapsed next to the baby and he was covered in dust. When they pulled my child out, I thought he was dead."

Judith Louise's husband, Friesnel, said, "The baby wasn't moving or breathing. It took a long time to revive him. When Judith Louise started nursing him, though, he came back to life."

"We were lucky to find the child alive," said Friesnel.

"Our house was completely destroyed. We lost everything. Everyone's house has been destroyed, so now we are equal as one – you understand. We don't have anything to survive with. Even if we have money, we can't find anything to buy. Nobody is giving us anything. We're all suffering here."

Friesnel worries about how his family will survive, living in the streets.

Save the Children helps families like those of Judith Louise and Friesnel by providing medical and nutrition supplies.

"We need to rebuild our houses. Our baby is suffering because we don't even have money to buy milk. We need money to reorganize our lives. We need food to come to this country in order for all of us to survive."

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Fifteen days have passed since the 7.0 earthquake shook the island of Haiti, claiming 200,000 lives and leaving 3 million homeless. CDRS has been on the ground since January 14th, and in the words of CDRS executive director, Todd Shea, it has been “simply hell” out there. Early teams witnessed death and misery of an untold scale and even for the volunteers, it was too much to bear.

Chaos and confusion are now beginning to subside, and with improved coordination and the opening up of supply lines, the delivery of aid and medical care is gradually coming up to speed. We have much good news to report:

- SHINE/CDRS assisted in the identification, and setting up of a multi-agency field hospital at Bojeux Parc, right at the city limits of Port Au Prince, which is now seeing up to 200 patients a day. Congresswoman Maxine Waters visited the facility, and had praise to offer the collaborative Hatian and American effort. Following her visit, USAID facilitated the establishment of a fully-fitted air-conditioned operating tent where volunteer doctors are now able to perform more complicated procedures. - SHINE/CDRS continues to play an active role at the facility, providing ground support, supplies and food/water aid to assist in the running of the hospital, which is also providing post operative and outpatient services. - The agency is facilitating in the deployment of volunteers from the United States. Our ground staff meet the volunteers at the airport in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, provide overnight lodging, transfer into Haiti by road, followed by accommodation, food, communication, medical supplies and security in Haiti. So far we have facilitated over 100 doctors and medical staff. -SHINE/CDRS facilitates 2-3 mobile health teams a day that go out to poor neighborhoods and provide on-site medical care to earthquake victims. The more serious patients are transported back to the hospital where they receive further attention. At present, these mobile health units are seeing up to 300 to 500 patients a day. - The agency is poised to set up a medical camp at a tent village. We hope to funnel doctors, medical supplies and donations of food and water to the earthquake-affected families seeking shelter in the village.

SHINE/CDRS is honored to have received the following note from Marie Lochard-Lubin, an RN who volunteered with SHINE/CDRS in the first week:

“I found that Mr. Shea was very resourceful. He conducted a meeting at the end of each day, so that we may be updated on his activities, to hear about our day, and to strategically plan our next day. Also during our daily meetings, he would update us on the news, medical stock, transportation status and he required us to provide him a list on what stock is needed. I don’t believed that any one was looking for everything to go 100%, but in spite of all obstacle Todd Shea did a great job. Todd would remind us almost daily that any issue we had to make sure that we address him. I do believe that it is everyone's responsibility to do your home work, regarding the status of a country before you decide to come on board. Overall Todd Shea was a great facilitator, and was very attentive to our needs.”

SHINE/CDRS’s efforts in Haiti also received a mention in a story on the State Department’s web site, at

http://www.america.gov/st/develop-english/2010/January/20100125092525smtotrob0.6124079.html

Our current fundraising total is in the excess of $58,541. Our thanks to each and everyone of you for your prayers and support. Looking ahead, we anticipate a six to eight week deployment in Haiti. At every stage, we need to be responsive to changing needs on the ground and do what it is that this small and nimble agency does best: fill the gaps in the system and work closely will all other agencies on the ground.

For the next week, we expect to continue to facilitate surgeries and trauma patients. There is a dire need for food and water for patients and their families. Following this, we expect to shift our focus to primary care, mother and child health, and aftercare. We are in the process of securing an additional four medical satellite facilities and hope to establish supportive relationships with four to five additional facilities led by other field agencies. The need for additional volunteers will continue to evolve with the changing ground realities. Right now, nurses are in short supply.

On a closing note, we wanted to highlight the effort of one of our youngest volunteers. Thirteen year-old Saanya Hassan Ali, of Washington D.C. designed beautiful "Hope Haiti" cards, and got her friends together to make over 100 cards. A couple of hours and e-mails later, there were so many orders and donations for almost $1,000 for SHINE/CDRS. Saanya, thank you!

A note of thanks also to all our volunteer teams and ground partners: AIMER Haiti, Destiny World Outreach, IMANA, NOAH NY, and NYC Medics. Without you all, none of this would have been possible.

The days following the earthquake were a busy and stressful time for Lambi Fund. Contacting staff and partner organizations proved to be a difficult task given the lack of phone service, power, internet and destruction of major roads to rural communities.

On January 16, 2010 staff in the US finally heard from Lambi Fund’s country director in Haiti. While staff in Haiti have been struggling to survive in a city that has been demolished, we here overjoyed to hear that all Lambi Fund staff members were alive and suffered relatively minor injuries.

January 18, 2010: Lambi Fund Country Director Josette Perard finally made it through the debris and checkpoints to our office space located in downtown Port-au-Prince. It sustained damages but is still standing! Important documents and equipment were salvaged for the time being as it lacked electricity needed for the office to be functional.

January 19-24, 2010: Staff have been working out of our Field Coordinator’s house; one of the few houses still standing that has electricity. Lambi Fund’s office building is being used as shelter for those that have been displaced.

Several Lambi Fund led regional meetings have convened in rural communities outside, under trees throughout Haiti. These communities are currently experiencing tremendous rates of outmigration that are severely stressing already limited resources. The 1,000’s of refugees streaming into these villages daily desperately need immediate relief. As such our local partner organizations and Lambi Fund have begun distributing major essentials like food, water and medical supplies to displaced persons. Shelters are in the process of being built as well.

January 25, 2010: Staff finally managed to purchase gas for Lambi Fund’s generator. The office has electricity, is up and running and is fully operational! Continued discussions with grassroots organizations in rural communities have led to the development of a four-phase recovery plan that will be critical in Haiti’s long-term recovery:

1. Distribute food and emergency essentials to those migrating from Port-au-Prince to rural areas. 2. Repair damage in rural communities 3. Expand sustainable agriculture programs to meet the increased demand for food in rural areas 4. Increase opportunities for sustainable income for those displaced by the earthquake so that the influx of people migrating to countryside can start earning sustainable livelihoods

Play a major role in expanding resources, rebuilding, and providing refugees with the means for economic livelihoods in rural communities by supporting this important long-term recovery program in Haiti today.

Members of local organizations meet with Lambi Fund

Links:

• Project Homepage
• Step-by-Step Plans for Earthquake Recovery
• Lambi Fund Newsletter

Our team is currently providing medical care via mobile clinics in nine geographic regions, including Petit-Goâve, Grande Goave, Petionville, Boloise, Carrefour, Jacmal, and Gressier, Leogane, and Miragoane. We are also working in one hospital and two static clinics.

Hôpital de l'Université d'État d'Haiti

The team is providing medical care at the 700-bed general hospital near the Presidential Palace, the Hôpital de l'Université d'État d'Haiti. Our physicians and nurses are working together with other nongovernmental organizations that have joined us in the hospital. We have established eight basic emergency operating rooms, and are currently providing medical supplies for the hospital.

Doctors and nurses are currently performing 30-50 surgeries and treating approximately 250 patients at the hospital daily. By request of the hospital administration, International Medical Corps is organizing triage and acute treatment of new patients. The acute triage center has seen over 240 new patients in last three days, and is receiving patients from outside clinics via a newly-established ambulance service. The hospital is partially intact structurally and about half of the buildings are currently in use.

International Medical Corps physicians assisted in significant reorganization of the hospital including establishing the first inpatient/post-operative unit in Port-au-Prince post-earthquake. Under International Medical Corps’ guidance, patient management and flow has recently improved and the hospital is now able to accept referrals (and is perhaps the only hospital accepting referrals right now which can provide overnight care).

Other hospital wards opened including medical/surgical and post-operative, and the hospital now provides for 24-hour care with 45 patients in the in-patient ward and another in-patient ward opening shortly. Electricity and water are available in some areas of the hospital. However, there are no laboratory or x-ray services, and the hospital is in the process of establishing a cold chain. Ultimately, the hospital will need reconstruction and refurbishment.

International Medical Corps is prioritizing the return of national staff, as very few have returned. We have also led a tetanus immunization program on the hospital campus and vaccinated over 300 people.

At the Marcel Cline Psychiatric hospital attached to Hôpital de l'Université d'État d'Haiti, there are now 7 male and 3 female in-patients. Pre-earthquake, the hospital had 50 male and 30 female patients residing there. There is currently no food supply. Approximately 250 people are camping on the grounds, of which 30 are psychiatric patients. International Medical Corps delivered psychiatric drugs and distributed guidelines to the hospital and the Ministry of Public Health. We have deployed two psychiatrists, including our Senior Mental Health Advisor. International Medical Corps places a special emphasis on mental health during emergencies.

Mobile Clinics and Field Sites: Reaching the Underserved

• Petit-Goâve: International Medical Corps is serving a population of 2,500 people in this area, where 100% of homes have been destroyed. Until now, no assistance has been delivered. People lack latrines and a safe water source. We are delivering basic health units to two clinics and a hospital. We are providing medical services at another hospital. Many people have fled the destroyed areas to settle with family in the mountains, placing additional strain on infrastructure and services. • Boloise: International Medical Corps has treated 100 patients for trauma, malaria and communicable diseases. Four camps of displaced people numbering approximately 20,000 lack any medical care and have limited access to latrines and sanitation. • Jacmel: We are supporting and treating patients at a local hospital. Despite access to emergency medical care, the area lacks general public health care. • Gressier: Operating out of a previously abandoned health clinic, the team has treated 80 people for trauma, malaria, and fractures, and immunized 100 people against tetanus. We see approximately 53 people per day. International Medical Corps is also identifying local health care workers. • Carrefour: International Medical Corps saw 70 patients and gave 150 tetanus vaccinations through the clinic. Approximately three-quarters of the community are homeless. We are working with a number of organizational partners to provide care and address the need for latrines. In addition, International Medical Corps liaising with local Haitian doctors and providing follow-up care for patients. The communities in camps have mobilized to support our team for logistics and security issues. • Country Club, Petionville: International Medical Corps is establishing a clinic for a spontaneous settlement of 20,000 people. We have also identified another four small clinics run by the local community where we will provide supplies and medical staff.

Building Capacity in the Midst of Emergencies

Going forward, International Medical Corps will build capacity in Haiti’s health care system through delivering medical services, training local health workers, providing administrative support to the health care system, and rehabilitating health facilities. Already the team has improved the management and administration of the Hopital De l’ Universite d'Etat d'Haiti, and local Haitian medical students were trained by our team to help triage incoming patients. International Medical Corps will continue to support health posts and clinics in underserved areas through rehabilitating,

Save the Children staff plays with children refugees who's homes were destroyed during the earthquake at the Church of Ladder Day Saints, Port Au Prince, Haiti.

Save the Children is launching child-friendly space activites at the church in downtown Haiti.

Child-Friendly spaces provide safety, structure, and emotional healing to children who are suffering due to to the loss and devastation they have experienced.

Overview of Save the Children’s response • Number of beneficiaries we plan to reach: 600,000 • Number of total beneficiaries reached so far: *99,032 • Number of beneficiaries reached since last sitrep: 7,785 *number includes distributed medical supplies and medicines to support beneficiaries over 6 wk period

Overview of Activities by Sector: Emergency Health Care • As of January 22, Save the Children’s health interventions had reached approximately 85,000 children and adults. • Our mobile clinic in Leogane is treating approximately 100 patients a day. The unit is staffed by 14 expatriate doctors. • Four mobile health teams of one doctor and one nurse each are seeing patients in Jacmel. • On January 19, 16.5 tons of medical supplies donated to the agency by AmeriCares were distributed in Leogane and at the general hospital in Port-au-Prince. • Medical supplies were distributed by Save the Children’s response team and a partner agency to 14 hospitals and clinics throughout the Port-au-Prince region.

Food • The World Food Program (WFP) will be providing Save the Children with high-energy biscuits for distribution. Save the Children is also coordinating a longer-term strategy with WFP for food distributions, which are scheduled to begin this week. • On January 16, Save the Children distributed food for 2,000 people at the L’Hopital de l’Espoire (Hope Hospital), that focuses on pediatric medicine and helps support two orphanages.

Water • Latrine construction and rehabilitation has benefited some 3,600 children and adults in both Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. • Clean water is being provided to over 2,000 children and adults in camps in Port-au-Prince. • Large quantities of bottled water are being received for distribution with our hygiene kits.

Shelter and Non-Food Relief Items • 300 kits of hygiene and household supplies were distributed on January 21 at a makeshift camp in Port-au-Prince, benefitting 1,500 children and adults. • 5,000 families in Jacmel have been targeted for our shelter and relief supplies. • 2,500 household kits are being procured at Save the Children’s office in the Dominican Republic for rapid delivery by truck to Port-au-Prince. • 1,000 family-size tents are being shipped by Save the Children from China, where the agency responded to that nation’s earthquake in 2008. • 25,000 sheets of plastic for temporary shelter have arrived at Save the Children’s base in Miami. • 100 semi-permanent structures for housing or other uses have been ordered and will arrive within a week.

Child Protection • Eleven Child Friendly Spaces in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel have been opened. Over 3,500 children have benefited from access to structured, supportive activities to help them recover from what they’ve experienced. Kits for 77 other spaces are in Port-au-Prince; Save the Children plans to open hundreds of these essential sites for children. • Save the Children has trained 50 social workers from other nongovernmental organizations to provide psychosocial support to children, including training in child protection policies and how to conduct activities at our Child Friendly Spaces. • The agency has been requested by the UN to coordinate the reunification of separated children with their families. We are beginning to collect information and reports of separated and unaccompanied children for follow-up action.

Education • Save the Children will be among the lead agencies to rapidly restore education for children to provide them with a structured, secure environment.

Over a week after the massive earthquake struck Haiti, the need for life-saving medical services remains overwhelming. Casualty estimates have risen. The death toll may be as high as 200,000 and the number of injured and homeless is in the millions.

MADRE is continuing our emergency efforts to get medicines and medical supplies to Haiti through the Dominican Republic. A shipment of supplies arrived Wednesday, January 20, and more supplies are expected in the coming days. Right now, the biggest concern is for replenishing stocks of antibiotics in order to fight off infection. Operating Rooms Up and Running Our partners on the ground are working day and night to meet the desperate need for medical treatment. They have set up field hospitals both inside and outside of Port-au-Prince and are performing surgeries to treat widespread bone injuries and infections. MADRE is working in support of Zanmi Lasante, a Haitian healthcare organization founded by Partners in Health. At the general hospital in Port-au-Prince, there are now 12 functioning operating rooms, with surgeries being performed day and night in each. Outside of the city, in the Central Plateau and Artibonite regions, there are eight more operating rooms for the busloads of people fleeing the city each day. Though the 6.1 aftershock quake that struck Haiti yesterday morning caused the evacuation of the general hospital in Port-au-Prince, no structural damage resulted, and the hospital was able to quickly restore order and continue operations.

MADRE is also supporting a delegation of midwives and maternal health practitioners. Four members of the first team of midwives and maternal health providers have arrived in the border town of Jimani, and three more are scheduled to arrive this weekend.

We just got off the phone with Leilani Johnson of Circle of Health International (COHI), the organization MADRE is partnering with in this initiative. Leilani told us that the minute the team arrived, they began providing crucial medical services to people seriously injured and displaced from Port-au-Prince.

Save the Children’s Response: Save the Children has worked in Haiti continuously since 1978 and launches immediate relief for children affected by the island’s frequent natural disasters. Local staff members in Port-au-Prince have been joined by our international disaster response experts and are working around the clock and in coordination with the Haitian government, donors, non-governmental organizations and communities to provide relief on a scale similar to our response to the epic Asia tsunami of 2004. Work is taking place in Port-au-Prince and in nearby communities; we are also monitoring the possible relocation of families away from Port-au-Prince.

Emergency Health Care • As of January 22, Save the Children’s health interventions had reached approximately 85,000 children and adults. • Our mobile clinic in Leogane is treating approximately 100 patients a day. The unit is staffed by 14 expatriate doctors. • 70 health workers were trained in Leogane and another mobile clinic is operating there. • Four mobile health teams of one doctor and one nurse each are seeing patients in Jacmel. • On January 19, 16.5 tons of medical supplies donated to the agency by AmeriCares were distributed in Leogane and at the general hospital in Port-au-Prince. • Medical supplies were distributed by Save the Children’s response team and a partner agency to 14 hospitals and clinics throughout the Port-au-Prince region.

Food • The World Food Program (WFP) will be providing Save the Children with high-energy biscuits for distribution. Save the Children is also coordinating a longer-term strategy with WFP for food distribution. • On January 16, Save the Children distributed food for 2,000 people at the L’Hopital de l’Espoire (Hope Hospital), that focuses on pediatric medicine and helps support two orphanages.

Water • Save the Children has trained 24 staff in water and sanitation responses and healthy hygiene promotion. Teams will travel to informal settlements in Port-au-Prince to construct latrines and water points and encourage proper hygiene. • Based on assessments in two other locations, Save the Children plans to deliver clean water to residents by tank trucks, construct latrines to prevent water contamination, distribute hygiene kits and promote proper hygiene to prevent the spread of diseases. • Large quantities of bottled water are being received for distribution with our hygiene kits.

Shelter and Non-Food Relief Items • 300 kits of hygiene and household supplies were distributed on January 21 at a makeshift camp in Port-au-Prince, benefitting 1,500 children and adults. • 5,000 families in Jamal have been targeted for our shelter and relief supplies. • 2,500 household kits are being procured at Save the Children’s office in the Dominican Republic for rapid delivery by truck to Port-au-Prince. • 1,000 family-size tents are being shipped by Save the Children from China, where the agency responded to that nation’s earthquake in 2008. • 25,000 sheets of plastic for temporary shelter have arrived at Save the Children’s base in Miami. • 100 semi-permanent structures for housing or other uses have been ordered and will arrive within a week.

Child Protection • Child Friendly Spaces in Port-au-Prince and Jamal have been opened. Over 200 children have access to structured, supportive activities to help them recover from what they’ve experienced. Kits for 77 other spaces are in Port-au-Prince; Save the Children plans to open hundreds of these essential sites for children. • Save the Children has trained 50 social workers from other nongovernmental organizations to provide psychosocial support to children, how to conduct activities at our Child Friendly Spaces and child protection policies. • The agency has been requested by the UN to coordinate the reunification of separated children with their families. We are beginning to collect information and reports of separated and unaccompanied children for follow-up action.

Education • Save the Children will be among the lead agencies to rapidly restore education for children to provide them with a structured, secure environment.

Save the Children staff also continues to assess conditions in damaged communities west of Port-au-Prince and initiate relief operations and local partnerships. Our staff in the Dominican Republic is also alert to the possibility of relief that may be needed for Haitian earthquake victims who have moved to the border area.

The agency has committed to a five-year “build back better” initiative, which will take us from the relief and recovery phase to working with families to rebuild their communities. The strategy is similar to the five-year rebuilding initiative Save the Children launched in Aceh Province, Indonesia following the epic December 2004 tsunami.

An Internews team of media specialists and radio technicians has been in Haiti since the earthquake to assess damage to media infrastructure and support local media.

On Thursday, January 21st, 11 local radio stations in Haiti aired a Creole-language humanitarian information broadcast produced by Internews.

The program, Nouvelle-Utiles (News You Can Use) will be produced daily and distributed to local radio stations, which are eager to air it.

Thursday’s program included stories refuting rumors that there was an imposed curfew in Port-au-Prince, and notice of water distribution locations, bank re-openings, and waste management services. Information from the Red Cross discouraged hasty and uncoordinated disposal of bodies, and dispelled rumors that dead bodies cause disease.

Local journalists reported the stories in the broadcast, produced and distributed by Internews. More stations will be added to the distribution, as they return to broadcasting.

Stations airing the program include: Radio Signal, a popular Port-au-Prince station which never stopped broadcasting, even during the earthquake; Radio ONE, the only independent radio station with national reach; and Radio National, Haiti’s state broadcaster.

Thank you for your support – it is making a difference!

As reported this week by the Associated Press and others, news and information – on safety, food, shelter, water, and stability – are lifelines for victims of the earthquake in Haiti:

“The radio station is the people’s life right now,” said 56-year-old Roselaure Revil, a Haitian who runs a small church aid program that is out of food, water and clothing. “Without the radio station, the country is dead. Without the radio station, we can't communicate. We don’t have anything.”

Full article in The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/20/world/AP-CB-Haiti-Radio.html

Links:

• Haiti Radio Fills Information Void in Disaster

Within 23 hours of the earthquake, International Medical Corps’ Emergency Response Team arrived in Port-au-Prince. Our current team of 40 on the ground includes 27 medical personnel, a mental health specialist, and logistics, financial, communications, security, and coordination officers.

The team is providing medical care outside the general hospital near the Presidential Palace, the Hopital De l’ Universite d'Etat d'Haiti. Our physicians and nurses are working together with other nongovernmental organizations that have joined us in the hospital. We have established eight basic emergency operating rooms, and are currently providing medical supplies for the hospital.

President Clinton met with International Medical Corps’ Emergency Response Team on January 18th. He spoke with our doctors, and noted our urgent needs: • Our field hospital had 1,500 patients seeking treatment -- 70% to 80% need surgery. • About 75 amputations were performed on January 17th alone; another 150+ were needed. • Through a partnership dating back to Hurricane Katrina, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the largest public service employee union, has offered International Medical Corps 400 volunteer nurses, many Creole speaking. • We delivered desperately needed medical supplies to the field hospital, and more supplies—including emergency medical kits and food—are arriving via caravan from across the border in the Dominican Republic. • Our team is treating crush injuries, basic wounds, trauma, shock and other critical cases – with the few available supplies.

International Medical Corps physicians assisted in significant reorganization of the hospital including establishing the first inpatient/post-operative unit in Port-au-Prince post-earthquake. Under International Medical Corps’ guidance, patient management and flow has recently improved and the hospital is now able to accept referrals (and is perhaps the only hospital accepting referrals right now which can provide overnight care).

Reaching the Underserved

The team is also supporting small medical posts near the Villa Creole Hotel in Port-au-Prince. We have also begun operating mobile units in Leogane (the epicenter) to reach those who are underserved. Leogane (population 134,000) is severely affected with 80-90% of the buildings damaged.

The team has conducted assessments in Carefour, Grassier, Leogane, and Jimani. In Grassier, we have established primary health care support for a community clinic that had previously been abandoned. International Medical Corps will continue to assist in coordination of public health assessments with the World Health Organization and other nongovernmental organizations in the affected areas.

International Medical Corps will expand emergency medical care to underserved populations through both static and mobile clinics, and will provide primary health care as needs dictate, including immunization and disease prevention. Furthermore, International Medical Corps will continue to support devastated public health facilities by providing supplies, medicine, and personnel to manage the increased caseload of patients due to the emergency.

Building Capacity in the Midst of Emergencies

International Medical Corps will build capacity in Haiti’s health care system and infrastructure through training, administrative support, and rehabilitation of health facilities. Already the team has improved the management and administration of the Hopital De l’ Universite d'Etat d'Haiti, and local Haitian students were trained by our team to help triage incoming patients.

Going forward, International Medical Corps will support health posts and clinics in underserved areas through rehabilitating, restocking, staffing, and training. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Health, the government of Haiti, and local communities to conduct needs assessments and establish leadership committees representative of all stakeholders, including women. In particular, International Medical Corps efforts will include water and sanitation efforts to drastically improve living conditions and general health, and prevent disease from spreading. A hallmark of International Medical Corps’ work is training local doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health workers to care for their own communities.

In addition, International Medical Corps is known for its technical expertise in both medical and health care administration in humanitarian emergencies. We will support the Ministry of Health and health facilities throughout Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area in hospital and clinic operation; administration, disease-monitoring, and record-keeping; personnel management, recruitment, training, and retention; and logistics of stocking medical equipment and supplies.

International Medical Corps firmly believes that the best way to create lasting change is to invest in long-term recovery at the outset – it begins in the midst of emergencies. This year International Medical Corps marks its 25th anniversary of providing critical, lifesaving care to millions, while bridging the divide between relief and recovery. International Medical Corps’ mission—to restore devastated medical systems by arriving quickly in crisis, then training local practitioners to care for their own communities, restore well-being and build self-reliance—has been and continues to be crucial. International Medical Corps has worked side-by side with local doctors, nurses, and health workers; it has delivered the highest standard of medical care and training; it has elevated the level of primary health care in developing countries to a level second to none. The knowledge and skills that International Medical Corps leaves behind remain the great measure of its strength and impact.

January 21, 2010, Los Angeles, Calif. – Sienna Miller, Global Ambassador for International Medical Corps, makes a passionate call to action in a public service announcement (PSA) to assist survivors of the 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti last Tuesday.

“The need left by this earthquake is enormous,” says Sienna Miller. “Thousands need medical services and time is of the essence. If the injured do not receive medical care quickly, treatable ailments like fractures and open wounds can become life-threatening. The more people who come together and offer their support, the more lives we will be able to save.”

Funds raised through the PSA (http://www.imcworldwide.org/SiennaPSA) will directly support International Medical Corps’ emergency response in Haiti and save lives by helping acquire what is desperately needed on the ground, including medicines, medical equipment, food, clean water, and other emergency relief items.

International Medical Corps was on the ground in Haiti providing emergency medical care just 23 hours after the earthquake struck. “They are working around the clock to save as many lives as possible,” says Miller. “I hope this PSA will shed light on the incredible work they are doing in Haiti and encourage others to support it.”

In Port-au-Prince, International Medical Corps is working at the Hopital de l’Universite d’Etat d’Haiti, a 700-bed hospital, as well as supporting small health clinics throughout the city. An International Medical Corps mobile medical unit is also in Leogane, the epicenter of Tuesday’s earthquake, providing emergency medical care.

“We are so thankful to Sienna for speaking out for the people of Haiti,” says Rebecca Milner, VP of Institutional Advancement for International Medical Corps. “Every donation made as a result of this PSA will save lives on the ground in Haiti.”

A new truck load of nearly 4,500 WaterBricks are ready to ship, bound for Haiti. These contain 15,300 gallons of water that will be distributed to their two make-shift hospitals. They will be used for their patients and also in their orphanages. Thank you for your support of this project so far! We will continue to update you on progress as this project continues and will send photos soon.

Aftershocks felt in Haiti More than a week after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, strong aftershocks were felt through the area, adding to the devastation. Over 200,000 may have perished in the last nine days; the dead have yet to be buried. But as one survivor said, "We need now to pray for the living".

Todd Shea, Executive Director of CDRS, reached Haiti on Jan 14th and has since then facilitated the deployment of close to 100 doctors and medical staff, set up a warehouse in Croix de Bouquets and opened an urgent care facility where we are seeing over 70 cases a day. Medical supplies are critically short, and patients are arriving everyday who have not yet received any medical treatment. Todd has pointed out two key problems - the limited number of supply lines that have been established and the lack of sharing of resources and intel by some of the larger agencies on the ground.

Our goal is to continue facilitating teams of the ground, and ramp up to 10 Urgent Care Centers over the projected six week deployment. Our supporters have reached deep and so far we have raised close to $40,000 in donations and pledges. Our goal is to raise $186,000, so there is a ways to go.

We need your help so that we can continue to deploy doctors where they are most needed, and help fill the gaps in availability of water, relief supplies and medical necessities. On the stateside, CDRS is joining hands with NYC Medics and IMANA to create an on-line registry of medical and non-medical volunteers, and with the use of GIS mapping, create an accurate match between demand for and supply of volunteers over the affected areas.

How to Volunteer For those interested in volunteering in Haiti with CDRS, please fill out the electronic Volunteer Form, which can be found at: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFlNVGtzc1M1dXdpdkRjdDVTR3JrSmc6MA

We will get back to you as soon as we can. For more information, please contact Laila Karamally at lailakaramally@cdrspakistan.org or at 714-261-1044.

CHF continues to work at emergency response, lending our facilities, equipment and logistics to assist in the relief operations. In Petit Goave we are working closely with Swiss organization Medecins du Monde Suisse. Kits arrived for 1000 families that include shelters, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, and four large tents for emergency hospital rooms, which are set to be distributed.

We are continuing to prepare for the forthcoming weeks – and months - as we focus on transitional shelter and employing Haitian communities in the clean up of their neighborhoods. Part of this has involved surveying our existing infrastructure projects – over 100 across Haiti – that we have completed since 2006. We are glad to say that minimal damage has been sustained to our existing projects, which gives us the confidence to go ahead using construction techniques that have been truly tried and tested.

Food • The World Food Program (WFP) will be providing Save the Children with high-energy biscuits for distribution. Save the Children is also coordinating a longer-term strategy with WFP for food distribution. • On January 16, Save the Children distributed food for 2,000 people at the L’Hopital de l’Espoire (Hope Hospital), that focuses on pediatric medicine and helps support two orphanages.

Water • Large quantities of bottled water have been received for distribution with our hygiene kits. • Save the Children has trained 24 staff in water and sanitation responses and healthy hygiene promotion. Beginning January 22, teams will travel to 15 informal settlements in Port-au-Prince to begin constructing latrine and water points and encourage proper hygiene. • Based on assessments in two other locations, Save the Children plans to deliver clean water to residents by tank trucks, construct latrines to prevent water contamination, distribute hygiene kits and promote proper hygiene to prevent the spread of diseases.

Shelter and Non-Food Relief Items • 2,500 household kits are being procured at Save the Children’s office in the Dominican Republic for rapid delivery by truck to Port-au-Prince. • 1,000 family-size tents are being shipped by Save the Children from China, where the agency responded to that nation’s earthquake in 2008. • 25,000 sheets of plastic for temporary shelter have arrived at Save the Children’s base in Miami. • 1,000 family hygiene kits (including soaps, rubbing alcohol, baby wipes, diapers, hand sanitizers and bleach), arrived in Port-au-Prince on January 19.

Emergency Health Care • Our mobile health clinic in Leogane continues to see approximately 100 patients daily. The unit is staffed by 14 expatriate doctors. • On January 19, 16.5 tons of medical supplies donated to the agency by AmeriCares were distributed in Leogane and at the general hospital in Port-au-Prince. • Medical supplies were distributed by Save the Children’s response team and a partner agency to 14 hospitals and clinics throughout the Port-au-Prince region.

Child Protection • Several Child Friendly Spaces are now open in temporary shelters so that children can take part in structured, supportive activities to help them recover from what they’ve experienced. Kits for 77 other spaces are in Port-au-Prince; Save the Children plans to open hundreds of these essential sites for children. • Save the Children has trained 50 social workers in providing psychosocial support to children, activities at our Child Friendly Spaces and child protection policies. • Three Child Friendly Spaces are scheduled to open January 22 in the community of Jacmel. • The agency has been requested by the UN to coordinate the reunification of separated children with their families. We are beginning to collect information and reports of separated and unaccompanied children for follow-up action.

Education • Save the Children will be among the lead agencies to rapidly restore education for children to provide them with a structured, secure environment.

Save the Children staff also continues to assess conditions in damaged communities west of Port-au-Prince and initiate relief operations and local partnerships. Our staff in the Dominican Republic is also alert to the possibility of relief that may be needed for Haitian earthquake victims who have moved to the border area.

The agency has committed to a five-year “build back better” initiative, which will take us from the relief and recovery phase to working with families to rebuild their communities. The strategy is similar to the five-year rebuilding initiative Save the Children launched in Aceh Province, Indonesia following the epic December 2004 tsunami.

We are happy to report that we received a payment of almost $22,000 from Global Giving – thanks so much to our donors!

RedR will be sending out an emergency team to evaluate what support aid agencies will need in the coming weeks and months. We then plan to set up an emergency programme to provide vital training in key areas, including water, sanitation, shelter, security, and coordination, to local and international aid agencies operating in the region.

We’ll continue to keep our donors posted – but for now it’s full steam ahead to raise more funds to run this project!

Tangibles: On January 19th, Michael Ritter and Jon Steele dropped off 600 buckets, 1,000 spigots, and 100 bottles of Klorfasil (a solid chlorine product) in Hopital Ste. Croix. These supplies will be the beginning of establishing safe water relief to the Leogane area. Leogane is about an hour from Port-au-Prince and was severely damaged by the quake.

The following supplies will be delivered by 10:30 Wednesday morning to a hanger at the Ft Lauderdale Executive airport for a flight on a private plane to Leogane.

9,700 spigots (20 large cartons) 2,000 bottle labels 8,100 bottle caps 1,900 8 oz bottles 5 Aquachlor AC100 generators 1 Aquachlor 25AC generator The plane and the pilot time has been donated by David E. Lee, president of Air Shares Elite. These materials will combine with 10,000 buckets produced in Port-au-Prince at a local bucket factory to provide systems that will provide clean water for thousands of Haitians. Special thanks to Graham Huff for arranging for logistics and escorting the shipment to Leogane after just being airlifted from a mission trip to the island of La Gonave less than a week ago .

Save the Children staff in Port-au-Prince, Haiti are assessing the impact of this morning’s strong 6.1 magnitude aftershock – even as they continue working nonstop to deliver lifesaving relief to children affected by the epic January 12 earthquake.

“Children and families are still sleeping in the open, among the rubble. They are very vulnerable – this aftershock would have terrified them. We are working flat out to assist them, bringing in supplies and rolling them out to the people who need them as fast as we can,” said Annie Foster, Save the Children’s team leader in Port-au-Prince.

Save the Children is undeterred by this latest aftershock. Essential relief we began within hours of the earthquake goes on and, day by day, is being expanded to reach more children in and around the rubble of Port-au-Prince and nearby communities.

Highlights of the past 48 hours in our efforts – made possible by our donors’ outpouring of support, include:

- Distribution of 16.5 tons of drugs and medical supplies provided by AmeriCare to health technicians in Leogane and to the general hospital in Port-au-Prince.

- Rolling out the first mobel health clinic yesterday.

- Opening the first of hundreds of Child Friendly Spaces planned so that children living in temporary camps have a respite from the tremendous stress and strain they are experiencing.

• Save the Children Fact Sheet: 1-20-2010 (PDF)
  

CHF International is continuing to undertake relief work both immediately and plan for the longer term. We have been able to survey many of our previous infratructure projects and we are glad to be able to report that most have survived the earthquake well, which means we can launch into new works with the knowledge that our construction techniques have been truly tried and tested. In the Petit Goave area, for example, all five schools built by CHF survived the earthquake intact. These schools are currently being used as shelters for displaced people.

In the meantime, CHF is providing logistical support to the Haitian Red Cross. Yesterday and today we transported 750 hygiene-kitchen kits from St. Marc (about 2 hours north of Port-au-Prince) as well as portable water treatment plants. As of today we also made available to the Red Cross two of our vehicles and drivers to help with the transportation of personnel and materials in Port-au- Prince.

A typical Haitian night is filled with a plethora of sounds – confused roosters, unsettled dogs, nightclub rhythms, to name a few. As I lay out on the damp grass (my new bedroom on the CHF Haiti office lawn), looking up at Orion and the other stars, there is one sound that I would not have expected to hear – at least not after what happened on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.

Singing. Above the hum of generators, sporadic gun fire and chirping cicadas, I hear a multitude of voices. Haitians are singing. In the wake of the worst disaster in the history of the UN, they are singing praises to God. I cannot quite make out the song or a specific tune, but it clearly a hymn.

Amid all the negative press about insecurity and violence, there are a multitude of stories of hope and unbelievable resilience. To be sure, security is a very valid concern today, as there are reports of isolated violent incidents. And as desperate mothers’ and fathers’ survival instincts kick in and they try to secure food and water for their families, more reports of violence can be expected. However, to portray the city as a warzone and its people as ruthless savages is neither accurate nor appropriate.

In all I have witnessed during my 9 years in Haiti, I am always astonished by the resilience of the Haitian people, their determination to survive, and their devotion and unwavering faith in God.

Not once have I heard anyone question why God would allow something like this to happen. Actually, it has been the exact opposite. I have heard people who have lost loved ones thanking God for saving those He did. Conversations are peppered with phrases like “thanks to God”, “by the grace of God” and “God is protecting us”.

Whether you are a believer or not, I believe it is impossible to question the strength of the Haitian people to overcome this tragedy. However, they cannot and should not have to do it alone. And as the CHF International team in Haiti, we are making sure that they don’t.

Background The January 12th earthquake that devastated Haiti is one of the largest humanitarian disasters in recent years, both in terms of numbers of people affected and the magnitude of damage. Current estimates are that one in three Haitians are affected (approximately 3 million people living in and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince). Some 80,000 people are confirmed dead, and this number is expected to increase significantly in the days and weeks to come.

CARE, which has worked in Haiti since 1954, launched an immediate response to help earthquake survivors. Thankfully, all of CARE’s 133 staff members are safe and accounted for, although many lost relatives, including children, as well as their homes. CARE’s staff in Haiti includes emergency personnel who were part of the response to the devastating Hurricane Hanna in 2008. In addition to our staff already in Haiti, we have deployed an experienced emergency team that has allowed us to start providing emergency assistance while planning for longer-term recovery.

The purpose of this update is to provide more details on CARE’s efforts to date.

Update from Haiti General Emergency Response · The scale of devastation caused by Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti is horrifying. Aid workers on the ground say the extent of the damage to homes and infrastructure is reminiscent of the damage caused by the 2004 tsunami in South Asia.

· The situation poses a huge logistical challenge. Getting in enough aid supplies, equipment and staff is difficult, as the airport and port have been severely damaged. Electricity and water have been cut off, fuel supplies are low, and roads are impassable.

· Despite these challenges, aid is getting through, and more emergency workers and aid shipments are arriving. The port is expected to be operational in two days and the government plans to open 40 banks today. Western Union is waiving charges for remittances to Haiti, and T-Mobile is providing free text messaging between Haiti and the US through January.

· CARE has distributed clean water, water purification packets, emergency food rations, and basic hygiene kits, as described below. Soon we will begin distributing tents, mattresses and other relief items.

CARE’s Response · CARE has given clean water and water purification packets to 25,000 people.

· We have started distributing: – 10-tons of high-protein biscuits, enough for 60,000 emergency meals to people in need; – 1,500 collapsible water containers; and – 1,200 hygiene kits, with a special focus on the needs of women.

· We also have procured 5,000 mattresses, which will soon be distributed.

· There are 37,000 pregnant women in the disaster zone who are in urgent need of food, safe water and access to health care. CARE is working hard to support their needs.

· We are in the process of acquiring and bringing in more supplies, such as jerry cans, tents, temporary warehouse structures, generators and high-protein biscuits from places like Dubai, Karachi and Nairobi.

· The CARE Haiti team has begun planning for the longer-term response; in the near term, this could include activities such as rebuilding homes and implementing a cash-for-work program for people to help clear debris.

Gender Focus · To help meet the specific needs of pregnant women, new mothers and children, CARE is focusing on the following as part of our immediate emergency response: – distribution of water purification tablets to provide clean water, particularly for pregnant women and children who are particularly susceptible to water-borne illness such as diarrhea; – distribution of emergency food rations; – distribution of infant kits for mothers with newborns and young babies; and – distribution of hygiene kits that include soap and toothpaste, sanitary napkins and undergarments for women.

· We know that in emergencies like this, women and girls are at increased risk of sexual violence, exploitation and abuse when seeking food and other services. CARE is deploying a gender-based violence specialist to enhance our ability to address these issues.

· After disasters, CARE normally provides delivery kits for women and health centers to facilitate safer, cleaner deliveries. We are working with partners to determine how to procure these items and distribute them as quickly as possible.

Health Focus · Port-au-Prince lacks sewer infrastructure and the massive quake ruptured water lines. This creates a perfect formula for the spread of water-borne disease, particularly as those left homeless are forced into close quarters with limited options for sanitation.

· CARE is working quickly to distribute water purification packets along with basic hygiene kits to help prevent a secondary crisis: the outbreak of disease.

· Safe water is crucial for every survivor of last Tuesday’s quake – but especially for pregnant women, new mothers and small children. We are concerned that women may stop breastfeeding because they do not have enough food or water themselves, posing a huge risk to newborns.

· Mounting garbage adds to the risk of disease. Throughout Haiti, garbage trucks stand idle and the gutters are clogged with plastic bags, bottles and trash of all kinds. People tie handkerchiefs over their faces, desperately trying to stem the overwhelming stench. We urgently need to address the waste disposal issue. If garbage keeps accumulating, it will certainly spread disease.

Thank you for supporting GlobalGiving's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Your donation will be used to provide medical supplies and care, food, water, shelter and other necessities to the survivors of last week's 7.0 Earthquake in Haiti. As of Monday, January 18th, more than $250,000 has been contributed from over 4,000 generous donors like you.

Donations to GlobalGiving's Fund will be allocated to the following organizations:

- *CHF International* to provide transportation and supplies including axes and shovels to rescue workers.

- *Comprehensive Disaster Response Services* to transport food, water, medicine, and volunteers to disaster areas.

- *Deep Springs International* to provide safe water to survivors.

- *International Medical Corps* for medical care and supplies.

- *Internews* to provide vital information about disaster services.

- *Lambi Fund of Haiti* to provide immediate and long-term assistance to earthquake-affected areas.

- *MADRE* to bring emergency medical assistance and supplies to Haiti.

- *Partners in Health* to coordinate medical teams and supply chains.

- *RedR* to provide necessary training for volunteers in the emergency area.

- *Save the Children* to support children and families affected by the earthquake.

- *Volunteers for Interamerican Development Assistance* to bring surgical supplies and medical equipment to hospitals.

- *WaterBrick International* to bring clean water and food containers to the disaster area. *WaterBrick is a social enterprise, which has been fully vetted by GlobalGiving to ensure that all funds will be used for charitable activities.

Following are updates from these partners, all of whom are working on the ground. To see all updates, please visit http://www.globalgiving.org/haiti-earthquake-updates/ , which is being updated daily with the latest information.

January 19, 2010 – From Rebecca Bryant at Save the Children “On January 18, Save the Children opened the first Child Friendly Space in a church serving as a temporary shelter. Child Friendly Spaces allow children to take part in structured, supportive activities and recover from what they’ve experienced. Kits for us to open 70 other spaces arrived in the Dominican Republic on January 18 for immediate transport to Port-au-Prince. Save the Children plans to open hundreds of these essential sites for children. Two mobile health clinics will begin serving the basic health needs of children and families right in their neighborhoods on January 19. Supplies of water and other materials arrived in the Dominican Republic on January 18 and are being forward to our Port-au-Prince office by truck. On January 17, we received as shipment of 16.5 tons of medical supplies from AmeriCares.”

*** January 18, 2010 - From Todd Shea of Comprehensive Disaster Response Services: "Everyone needs to accelerate and better coordinate relief efforts to avoid conflict and a potentially dangerous escalation of tensions being felt by Hatians throughout the country, some of whom I found waiting and suffering without any outside help whatsoever so far.

The first team of four doctors from IMANA and a nurse from Destiny World Outreach is here. I came back from Haiti to pick them up and will deploy them and more medicines/supplies at 9 am Sunday, after picking up one more doctor. At least 5 more teams are planning to arrive in the next 7 days. The border is OPEN for our mission. Some rumors have led people to believe that the border is closed. The gate in shut and locked it at night, I have been coming and going at all times, including 2 am last night/morning."

*** January 17, 2010 - From Dr. Evan Lyons of Partners in Health: "can't get through much now but beyond the horror, one very striking reality is that things are totally peaceful. we circulated in PAP (Port-Au-Prince) in the middle of everything until just now. everywhere. no UN. no police. no US marines and no violence or chaos or anything. just people helping each other. drove past the main central park in PAP where at least 50K people must be sleeping and it was almost silent.

people cooking, talking, some singing and crying. people are kind, calm, generous to us and others. even with hundreds lying on the ground, open fractures, massive injuries of all kinds.

there are few dead bodies on the street. stench is everywhere. the city is changed forever."

All four of CARE's missing staff have been located!

In Haiti, the government has encouraged migration from Port-au-Prince to reduce stress and tension in the capital, where even today, people are being rescued alive from under the rubble. The government has issued radio announcements that free bus transportation is available to people leaving Port-au-Prince. On Sunday alone, approximately 1,500 people arrived in Jeremie from Port-au-Prince. Many of them are wounded and in need of assistance by the local hospital.

Just outside of our Port-au-Prince office, hundreds – perhaps even thousands – of newly homeless people are camped out in the main square. At night, groups of people can be heard clapping and chanting. Some have hung banners, painted on bed sheets, with messages like "We need help!" in English and Creole. Many tie handkerchiefs over their faces, desperately trying to block the overwhelming stench of waste. We have arranged for a tanker truck to bring water to the square, along with a huge rubber "bladder" to store it.

Access to clean water and waste disposal remain critical issues. Mounting waste in the streets, overflowing idle garbage trucks and clogged gutters will soon lead to extensive disease. We are rapidly responding and working to resolve logistical challenges. In order to reach the largest number of people quickly, CARE in Haiti's health program coordinator, Dr. Franck Geneus, and his staff are training local volunteers in water purification through a simple method: small packets of powder are mixed with water. Each packet can purify 10 liters of water. The trained volunteers will teach others and will distribute the packets according to a careful inventory of families at sites, ensuring that we reach those most in need. We also have partnered with other organizations to meet the immediate needs of the more than 37,000 pregnant and lactating women in the disaster zone who are in desperate need of food, clean drinking water and access to health care.

The Haitian minister of the Interior estimates 250,000 people are in urgent need of assistance. In addition to the water purification packets, we will soon distribute food rations, tents, mattresses and basic hygiene kits. We are working to procure and distribute additional emergency aid, including ready-to-eat meals, tarps and plastic sheeting, blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, jerry cans and kitchen kits, as quickly as possible.

Partnership: Deep Springs International (DSI) is working around the clock to respond to the devastating earthquake by creating access to clean water. Water, food, sanitation and medical care, are some of the most important essentials to address in the next few weeks as survivors seek to heal hearts and bodies. Deep Springs recognizes the critical need for partnership and organization between entities rushing to the scene. For this reason we are working with UNICEF, PSI (Population Service International) and Klorfasil to provide a solution to the need for safe water. Michael Ritter, DSI’s President and in-country director, has taken the lead for household water treatment technologies among these organizations, concentrating on areas surrounding Port-au-Prince.

Actions: Deep Springs has been acknowledged as part of the WASH Cluster, a WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene effort led by UNICEF which responds to disasters such as the earthquake with life giving solutions. Through the WASH Cluster, DSI has applied for funding through a Flash Appeal to serve 20,000 families (~100,000 people) with DSI water systems (modified 5-gallon bucket and Gadyen Dlo, a water disinfectant). This appeal gives organizations working on the ground today a chance to receive immediate and significant funding to bring in supplies and serve people in desperate need. DSI has also appealed for donations of 5-gallon buckets and lids, bottles, spigots, and labels for the DSI systems to companies and our contact lists. In Haiti Deep Springs has commissioned its Gadyen Dlo production sites, such as Jolivert, to ramp up production of our liquid chlorine product. At least 4 drums (55 gallons each) are currently available for use with the bucket systems. We are focusing our efforts on the suburbs and rural areas surrounding Port-au-Prince due to the increased need for a potable water source and the influx of Haitians fleeing the city.

Tangibles: DSI has received an overwhelming response in the form of monetary and tangible donations. LANXESS, an international specialty chemicals company, has donated an air shipment of Aquatabs, a solid chlorine product, to be flown into Haiti from Ireland. Aquatabs are compatible with the DSI systems. A Port-au-Prince bucket factory which is operational has agreed to supply 10,000 buckets for Deep Springs at a rate of 3,000 per day starting Monday, January 18th. Arrangements have been made for 10,000 spigots, bottles and labels and shipment to Haiti.

Needs: Though we have received many generous donations, Deep Springs will need your ongoing support to be able to serve those affected by the earthquake today, tomorrow, and for the coming years. Specifically we ask for monetary donations to fill in the gaps and provide for needs such as shipping costs, additional bucket systems and training costs.

Save the Children staff is helping to distribute food, water and supplies at Hospital Espoire in Port-au-Prince.

Save the Children-Child with clean water

Save the Children has worked in Haiti continuously since 1978 and launches immediate relief for children affected by the island’s frequent natural disasters. Local staff members in Port-au-Prince have been joined by our international disaster response experts and are working around the clock and in coordination with the Haitian government, donors, nongovernmental organizations and communities to provide relief.

Save the Children’s Response:

• On January 18, Save the Children opened the first Child Friendly Space in a church serving as a temporary shelter. Child Friendly Spaces allow children to take part in structured, supportive activities and recover from what they’ve experienced. Kits for us to open 70 other spaces arrived in the Dominican Republic on January 18 for immediate transport to Port-au-Prince. Save the Children plans to open hundreds of these essential sites for children.

• Two mobile health clinics will begin serving the basic health needs of children and families right in their neighborhoods on January 19.

• Supplies of water and other materials arrived in the Dominican Republic on January 18 and are being forward to our Port-au-Prince office by truck.

• On January 17, we received as shipment of 16.5 tons of medical supplies from AmeriCares.

• On January 16, Save the Children distributed food and water to the L’Hopital de l’Espoire (Hope Hospital), that focuses on pediatric medicine and helps support two orphanages. The food was enough for 2,000 people; 40 families taking refuge near the hospital also received hygiene kits (containing such items as rubbing alcohol, soap, towels, baby wipes, sanitary napkins, shampoo, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, disinfectant gel, chlorine, diapers and water). were distributed to vulnerable families taking refuge near the local hospital.

• Medical supplies were distributed by Save the Children’s response team and a partner agency on January 15 to 14 hospitals and clinics throughout the Port-au-Prince region.

• Our staff continues to assess the situation in Leogane and Petit Goave, both west of Portau- Prince and Jacmel, all of which have sustained heavy damage.

• In Jacmel, Save the Children staff is participating in coordination meetings, leading the coordination of the health relief effort and has been asked by UNICEF to work in two camps.

• Save the Children has committed to a five-year “build back better” initiative, which will take us from the relief and recovery phase to working with families to rebuild their communities. The strategy is similar to the five-year rebuilding initiative Save the Children launched in Aceh Province, Indonesia following the epic December 2004 tsunami.

Save the Children emergency advisory, Ian Rodgers, in Haiti

Our dedicated staff and local volunteers have spent the first week post the earthquake collecting, sorting and stacking donated medical supplies - delivering today - MLK DAY - the first 30 pallets destined for Haiti.

An approximate estimate of $550,000 value of the surgical supplies the doctors and nurses are so desperately in need of.

THANK YOU volunteers - your energy is amazing. Here on this sixth day we are hearing of survivors being pulled from the rubble. Our hearts and hopes go out to all those in Haiti - survivors and volunteers!

And a HUGE thank you to over 160 Global Giving philanthropists who have given to VIDA so far! Please feel free to give us feedback!