GlobalGiving Relief Fund for Haiti Earthquake

Hi GlobalGivers,

Despite the massive amounts of damage done in Haiti and obstacles thrown in the way, our partners continue to deliver. The aftermath of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake has never been too much of a challenge for these organizations. Whether it be delivering supplies to local hospitals, assisting grassroots organizations in Haiti, or preventing further cholera outbreaks, our partners are working to empower Haiti once again. Here are just a few of the projects these organizations have recently implemented to further hope and development in Haiti:

Volunteers for Interamerican Development Assistance (VIDA) responded to the tragedy in Haiti by supplying local hospitals with materials through its project “Medical Supplies for Hospitals in Haiti”. Even though VIDA struggled with customs recently to deliver supplies, they persevered and succeeded. Their continued dedication is showcased through their work in Cayes Jacmel, an area of Haiti recovering from the earthquake. One volunteer, Dr. Magloir, leads two visits each year with other physicians to deliver VIDA supplies to the area. The most recent trip delivered 25 suitcases with respiratory supplies and equipment for patients. In VIDA’s latest report, they announced that shipments of this magnitude will continue six times each year. This is all thanks to your support and generosity!

Lambi Fund of Haiti is also empowering Haiti through its project “Contribute to Long-Term Rebuilding in Haiti”. By helping local organizations build community-led enterprises, Lambi Fund hopes to implement long-term solutions and development strategies. COFECA is a perfect success story of a local organization working with Lambi Fund to implement their ideas into the community. This organization is working primarily with local entrepreneurs to develop and distribute their products. Some of these projects include turning peanuts into peanut butter, supporting women who make jelly to sell in local markets, and working with seamstresses who are creating clothing for local children and adults. COFECA aims to develop a credit to generate revenue for these projects in the Kavayon region. Surprisingly, this is only one of nine organizations Lambi Fund is supporting. With continued donations and support, the possibilities for the Lambi Fund and their partner organizations are endless.

International Medical Corps has helped Haiti recover from the earthquake since the beginning, 22-hours after tragedy struck to be exact. Its project “Provide Medical Care to Haiti” has worked tirelessly to address the cholera outbreak that sprung right around when the earthquake hit. To address this second disaster in Haiti, International Medical Corps set up cholera treatment centers (CTCs) in the Port-au-Prince region. Along with this network of centers, the organization set up mobile medical units in order for the most  remote parts of the country to receive treatment. This past year, there was unfortunately an increase in cholera cases beginning in June 2013. As a result, International Medical Corps provided immediate response and helped benefit over 1.5 million people. Despite this tireless effort, cholera still continues to have a presence in Haiti. With hurricane season approaching, it is more important than ever for International Medical Corps to receive your support.

Our partner organizations show how dedication and hard work can lead to overcoming challenges, such as the aftermath in Haiti. Of course, much of this is thanks to you, our donors. We will never stop appreciating your passion and generosity towards the cause. Remember, you are helping to empower Haiti. Thank you!

Links:

• GlobalGiving Relief Fund for Haiti Earthquake

The earthquake may have passed and structures have been rebuilt, but our amazing partner organizations for this GlobalGiving disaster fund appreciate the need for a sustainable haitian future. The flow of recovery has shifted to a need to develop! Our partners recognize this disaster not only as a horrific event but also an opportunity to build a better tomorrow for the Haitian people.

International Medical Corps (IMC) is tackling Haiti’s ongoing cholera outbreaks. They were also there in October 2010 when the outbreaks began right after the quake. Since the earthquake they have been actively seeking out individuals with cholera in Haiti via their mobile medical units. When IMC discovers a patient in need they promptly deploy their mobile units along with their professional medical staff. The northern, rural areas have been most affected by cholera, so logically IMC focuses on this region. Once staff reach the patient they immediately provide care to the ill. Since cholera causes severe dehydration the treatments include Oral Rehydration Salts, aquatabs, and general hygiene improvement. Once the patient is stable, International Medical Corps turns to the individual’s household. They provide sanitation tools to clean the house and they teach proper clean water practices. After the house has been sanitized, IMC turns their attention to the entire community! They rally advocacy networks to spread awareness about cholera and spread campaigns of clean water practices. Obviously IMC is dedicated to providing not just life-saving care but also lasting and sustainable care throughout the entire community!

Big things are happening at Volunteers for Interamerican Development Assistance (VIDA)! Quite literally! Recently, thanks to your awesome donations through this GlobalGiving fund, VIDA has been able to ship massive amounts of medical supplies to St. Damien Pediatric Hospital! This children’s hospital in Port-au-Prince provides free health services to the most impoverished youth of the tiny island nation. This hospital gives children life-saving care that their family would otherwise not have been able to afford, this includes surgery costs and cancer treatments. Thanks to your generous donations VIDA could send 12 pallets worth of medical supply! A special thanks to their shipping partner Otis McAllister! Things that your donations directly funded: patient gowns, surgical gowns, exam gloves, diapers, Stanford Hospital donated exam tables, and CVS donated 50,000 face masks! Like I said, they are doing big things and creating lasting impact! Thanks for making that possible!

While our first two partners focused on healthcare, our third partner, Lambi Fund of Haiti, is making sure citizens stay fed, employed, and sustainable! Lambi has a wide breadth of organizational focus, they span many fields in their work and overall promote social and economic empowerment of the Haitian people. The end of 2013 brought five nursery management trainings, three capacity building and accounting trainings, and two credit fund management trainings. This means that by the end of 2013 at least 150 community members will have participated in a Lambi training or presentation. These people now have skills in community organization, democratic principles, gender equity, reforestation techniques, animal husbandry and many more beneficial practices. These small steps forward are measured in leaps and bounds for the community! This empowerment and teaching strategy will create a brave and lasting Haiti!

While Haiti is still rebuilding, there has been a conscious shift from recovery to sustainable future. Our partners for this fund, with obvious different strategies, all have the same goal of creating a future for the haitian people. These organizations are standout because of their utter dedication to regrowth and forward strides. Once again we thank you for your amazing donations, you are adding to a better world!