NEWS > Haiti Earthquake > cbm's initial response
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cbm's initial response
Update on cbm's response to Haiti
cbm has flown in two specialist staff currently to Haiti, who are currently based in a hospital just outside of Port-au-Prince operated by our partner organisation, Cure International. Valerie Sherrer, cbm Emergency Coordinator and Martin Ruppenthal, cbm Regional Director for Latin America, report:
The hospital is over-run with patients, many of whom are simply lying on the floor waiting to be treated. The hospital staff are working round the clock to treat as any patients as possible suffering from fractures, amputations and wound infections.
The other issue for patients is limited food and water.
The main issue is getting the aid supplies into the capital, and distributed to the people.
Travelling around Haiti’s capital is extremely difficult and increasingly dangerous. There is no fuel – what fuel is left is being used to run hospital generators. There is great concern as to what the hospitals will do when the fuel runs out, which could be within days.
The general public is at the end of their rope awaiting aid supplies. Port-au-Prince is very insecure with lots of looting and vandalism taking place. Many people won’t travel to the centre of the city out of fear, but others do so in search of supplies.
“Just getting into Haiti was a challenge”, says Valerie Scherrer, cbm Emergency Coordinator. “My flight into Port au Prince was cancelled, and I was stranded along with at least 20 other aid workers, some of whom were search and rescue dog teams which are desperately needed in the search for survivors.
“Our greatest concern right now is for the injured,” says Valerie. “Many of the hospitals in Port-au-Prince have been damaged or destroyed, and those still open are overwhelmed with patients. If they don’t receive attention soon their injuries could be life threatening, or cause life-long disabilities.”
cbm has been working in Haiti since 1976 and has five projects in the capital of Port-au-Prince. Two cbm-supported projects include hospitals struggling to meet the medical demands during this humanitarian crisis.
cbm will continue to support its partners in the affected area with emergency assistances and long term rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts and we ask for your help to assist those in need in
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