Medical Relief a Success - Next is FOOD
January 25, 2010
Dear Luke,
Thank you for bringing hope to Haitian earthquake victims through your support of CitiHope. This update showcases the impact your donations and prayers are having - we are grateful.
CitiHope's overall response has grown to include a significant food security dimension, and considerable on-the-ground coordination support. Paul II and his team are still in the field, and I hope you take a moment to read about their experiences as they proudly represents both CitiHope and you.
In our relief work, CitiHope purposes to obtain the maximum strategic resources, at the minimum cost, in the shortest period of time, to give health and hope to the greatest number of people possible. 'Hope for Haiti' is truly exceeding that goal, thanks to you.
God's best,
Rev. Paul Moore and the CitiHope Team
www.citihope.org
Urgent Request for Food Help
Hope for Haiti Phase II Launching
As reported in our last email, Le Bon Samaritan Hospital is normally a 23-bed facility. Since the earthquake, they are caring for over 800 patients daily, with constant helicopters arriving and departing with Haitians needing treatment. Seen at right, a 'displaced patients camp' of sorts now exists right outside of the hospital. Conditions are reminiscent of military field hospitals many of us have seen in TV shows such as MASH.
CitiHope delivered 4,000 meals on one of our Saturday flights, which is just enough for two days. Unfortunately, the food aid being delivered by other agencies to Port au Prince still has not made it north to Jilmani, and CitiHope has been asked for further help.
A three-week-supply of food is urgently needed for the 800+ patients plus their caregivers. In the last two days CitiHope has secured 21,000 meals (roughly 3,000lbs) of a vitamin-fortified, nutritious and culturally palatable dehydrated soup mix from Stop Hunger Now/Operation Sharehouse. (The soup contains long grain rice, soy protein, vitamins, and dehydrated celery, carrot, cabbage, tomato, pepper, and is easily adaptable to several local favorite recipes.)
Paul II and his team have already begun construction of an outdoor kitchen, and ample volunteers are on hand to prepare and serve the meals.
The field team is gathering all available pots for cooking, bowls for serving and utensils, but we anticipate having to purchase some items.
Our challenge today is securing funding to move the food to our US airport staging location, fuel and fly a DC-3 airplane to Barahona, and then on to Jilmani for distribution. After receiving word today of a significant second donation by partners World Children's Fund and Medical Missions International, we're now estimating that we just need to raise an additional $36,000 to execute Hope for Haiti's Phase II, Food Security.
Together we are making a world of difference for good, for Haitians at risk... and you're help is essential. Please consider supporting Phase II with your most generous financial gift, and pass this urgent opportunity along to a friend who might also assist this impactful work. Most of all, please keep Hope for Haiti in your thoughts and prayers.
Hope for Haiti, Phase I Huge Success
Medical Relief and More!
In the Jilmani region, CitiHope is one of the principle relief agencies on the scene thanks to our rapid medical response, and Paul II and his team have become known as the 'go to' people when needs arise. In addition to our medical relief being delivered, here are highlights of what has occurred in just a week:
CitiHope was the first agency to figure out that bringing relief flights through Dominican Republic's Barahona Airport was the most strategic option. The US Air Force moved in over the weekend, and now their personnel and CitiHope staff are the only ones allowed on the tarmac!
Our DR Country Director Tim Tuccelli was given favor with the airport authorities, customs, and Governor of the region, and CitiHope has since become their partner of record.
We now have two trucks driving back and forth to Jilmani, not only with our own aid, but essentials coming in from other organizations who don't have their on the ground coordinates in place.
At Le Bon Samaritan hospital, CitiHope has provided a variety of essential needs. Here are a few highlights:
* The doctors needed additional exam tables, so CHI built and delivered them within 24 hours.
* The doctors desperately needed an autoclave to sterilize their instruments - it was delivered over the weekend.
* The hospital needed telecommunications and water purification systems, and they were on our first flight in.
* On Friday the hospital administrators requested long-range walkie-talkies, so Mike DiBenedetto and his St. Simons Island, GA team shipped them via flight #4 on Saturday.
* This morning Paul II asked for help getting 20 Gerber tool kits and multi-tools for his new friends in the ground crew. CitiHope is already procuring them from local stores in GA for the next air delivery tomorrow.
* A storage warehouse was lacking, so CitiHope dropped a 40 ft sea container in 48 hours, and are in the process of obtaining a local secure building as a permanent facility, to be operational by tomorrow/Wednesday.
* A kitchen capable of feeding the influx of patients is needed, so Paul II and his team have begun construction of an outdoor, open-air kitchen which will be finished this week.
CitiHope continues to respond to daily medical needs in Jilmani. Paul II is coordinating requests for help directly with hospital staff, whose focus continues to be patient care. Dr. Pinard and his team of staff and volunteers are extraordinary heroes.
Even Blankets Matter
Reported by Paul Moore II - Saturday, Jan 23. Last night at around 3am tremors woke the refugees here at camp. They rushed from the orphanage and sought shelter in the field. It gets cold here at night so men, women, and children were shivering in the cold.
Then someone remembered the CitiHope manifest and ran to our 'temporary warehouse' container. There they found enough thermal blankets for everyone. The camp stood still as doctors and nurses began to lovingly place these warm blankets on people in need.
When dealing with such a large-scale human disaster it is easy to become overwhelmed with the massive needs. Personally, I was grateful for the reminder that even 'simple' thermal blankets matter.
Quick Links
CitiHope Home
Hope for Haiti, Issue 1, Jan 18
Hope for Haiti, Issue 1, Jan 21
More About Us
One of the many Haitian children at the Le Bon Samaritan Hospital in Jilmani given hope, medical attention and nutrition through your caring support.
Together with her, and thousands like her, we say Thank You!
Forward this email
This email was sent to luke.doiron@gmail.com by info@citihope.org.
Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
Email Marketing by
CitiHope International Inc. | PO Box 38 | 143 Main Street | Andes | NY | 13731
Drop off your FOOD donation to HudsonAlpha
6900 Moquin Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35806
Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions: email us at haitifooddrive@gmail.com
---
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment