Medical Supplies for Hospitals in Haiti

2012 was an extraordinary year for VIDA as we shipped a record 50 containers carrying nearly $30 million in aid. We have once again witnessed the boundless generosity of people like you who have answered the call to ease the pain and despair of our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Latin America.

For Haiti it a three year anniversary of the earthquake and thereafter rebuilding. Haiti still needs our help.

We currently have five containers of medical supplies, valued at $4 million, sitting in our warehouse ready for shipment to Latin America. Here is where you can help. For every $1 you donate, VIDA is able to send $160 in life-saving medical aid. This is an incredible accomplishment made possible by our dedicated VIDA volunteers, staff, and supporters.

VIDA honors the dignity of every individual throughout Latin America, from those living in the Andean communities of Peru, to the shantytowns of Haiti, to the coastal towns of Chile, to the urban centers of Ecuador.  We are exceedingly grateful to all of our supporters who have so generously given their time, talents, and treasures to our mission. 

 Today, we ask you to help us reach our fresh goals for 2013 and bring the gift of LIFE to those in greatest need.

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For the past two years, VIDA has embarked on a grassroots strategy to bring medical aid to the poorest areas of Haiti. In response to the terrible living conditions, VIDA has sought new partnerships to send additional aid to our project in Cayes Jacmel. The vast majority of the city’s residents are unable to secure the basic necessities of life such as food, clothing and shelter. This terrible poverty has left many without hope for a better future and has led to illness, violence and despair.

Thanks to a generous donation by Gymboree, VIDA has just sent over $100,000 in children’s clothing to the city. It is anticipated that over 2,000 children will be fitted with clothing and shoes from this one shipment due to arrive in September. The project is managed by a medical team led by Haitian born physician, Alix J.Magloir. Dr. Alix and his team have been providing critical care to tens of thousands residents with the aid of VIDA. In addition to the clothing, VIDA sent over $50,000 in respiratory supplies.

VIDA is already working on its next shipment that will contain additional Gymboree donations as well as wound care supplies. Additionally, VIDA will also be providing room in the shipment for a large donation of musical instruments to benefit the development of a youth orchestra and marching band. The gift of music can go a long way in improving youth mental health, help foster their creative spirit, and give them hope for a better future.

VIDA's work in Cayes Jacmel is an example of a holistic approach that leverages our capacity to efficiently redirect surplus supplies in the United States to people in need in developing countries. This has allowed VIDA to send $150 in aid for every $1 collected.

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

In February 2012, VIDA supplied a medical team established  by Haitian born physician, Alix J.Magloire and two other Haitian born physicians who are working at a healthcare center in Cayes Jacmal. Medical teams have been visiting this center for the past two years with the assistance of VIDA. VIDA was also able to supply a group of volunteers who travelled to the center in Cayes Jacmal carrying 20 suitcases of medical supplies.    Aid  included nebulizers, ostomy supplies and surgical kits and other general medical supplies.

VIDA plans to continue and expand its support of medical teams serving Haiti as it represents the most efficient way to send scarce medical supplies to remote regions of Haiti.

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

VIDA supported supported the third 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. The doctor's were able to ship an ultrasound and anesthesia machines on their most recent visit along with general medical supplies.

VIDA also support a local church group which travel to Haiti in December.  They brought 24 suitcases of medical supplies to benefit an orphanage in Port au Prince.