American Refugee Committee International - 2010 Haiti Earthquake (MEDICAL CLINIC/FIELD HOSPITAL/SHELTER & MEDICAL SUPPLES/REFUGEE CAMP/FOOD DISTRIBUTION)

FROM THE SITE 10/30/10:

Working to Stop Cholera in Haiti
American Refugee Committee Staff are working around the clock to prevent an outbreak of the disease in the areas where we work.

Cholera has broken out in central Haiti.

There are 3,300 reported cases of the disease, and more than 250 people have died already. Cholera is spread through contaminated water, and experts expect the number of cases will increase.

Since the earthquake happened in January, the American Refugee Committee has been concerned about the possibility of a cholera outbreak. So, for months our team has been conducting campaigns to promote safe hygiene practices and to prevent disease outbreaks in the four main camps where we’re working.

Now that cholera has surfaced elsewhere in the country, we’ve stepped up our efforts and are working around the clock to make sure the disease does not spread into the camps:

* We’re distributing soap to thousands of families

* Via megaphones and tent-to-tent visits, we’re telling people how to protect themselves from cholera

* We’re making sure everyone has water purification tablets to prevent illness from contaminated water

* And, we’re setting up cholera treatment units to treat people who may contract the disease

Most people who contract cholera – if they receive enough fluid, nutrients and the appropriate care – can recover. That’s why it’s so important that we’re prepared.

Crowded living conditions and poor sanitation can lead to a rapid spread of the disease. With 1.3 million people living in camps in Haiti, the population is extremely vulnerable. We’re working closely with the Haitian people, the government and other organizations to stop cholera from spreading any further.

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FROM THE WEBSITE:

Update: Monday, January 27, 2010

Four plane loads of emergency medical and shelter supplies arrived yesterday and today in Port-au-Prince. This morning, we started distributing FEMA-grade tarps at Terraine D’Acra settlement and will continue until all 5,000 people there have shelter.

Terraine D’Acra is an area of the Delmas district of Port-au-Prince. We have been working closely with local leaders to coordinate our response.

We also opened a health clinic at the settlement today. Our medical team will be using medicines and supplies from our shipment to care for people in desperate need.

Today, children at the settlement will have safe places to play as we open the first of our child-friendly spaces. We will also be constructing latrines to prevent the spread of disease.

At Fond Parisien, our temporary settlement for clinic patients and their families is up and running. We have been putting up dozens of tents and digging latrines for the more than 200 people who are there. New patients who have had operations and are in need of follow-up care continue to arrive from Jimani and other areas. Upon arrival, each family receives three days of food rations, water containers, blankets, cooking utensils, mattresses, and clothing and hygiene supplies.

If you have any questions about the Haiti response effort, you can always contact us directly. The easiest way is to email info @archq.org.

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FROM THE WEBSITE:
Update: Monday, January 25, 2010

The American Refugee Committee medical team began arriving in Haiti over the weekend. They immediately got to work, helping care for over 150 patients at a makeshift field hospital. It is being run out of an orphanage called Love the Child in Fond Parisien, near the Dominican Republic border.

The doctor in charge of patient care had been working 24/7 since the earthquake. Our doctors were able to relieve him so he could get some much-needed rest.

They are providing crucial follow-up care for people who have had amputations and other operations. This is essential for preventing infection. With so many people in need of immediate medical attention, it’s been hard for doctors to keep up with post-operative patients. Now, people in need of follow-up care are being sent to Fond Parisien from Port-au-Prince and other areas.

Each patient has up to four family members with them. Yesterday, our relief team distributed hygiene kits, which included a bucket for washing, soap, toothpaste, feminine pads, diapers, and toothbrushes.

We are also building a temporary settlement on the orphanage’s grounds, setting up tents and digging latrines. These people’s homes have all been destroyed and they have nowhere else to go.

If you have any questions about the Haiti response effort, you can always contact us directly. The easiest way is to email info @archq.org.

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Sunday, January 24, 2010
At Fonds Parisiene

Part of our Haiti relief Team has been working near the border with the Dominican Republic at a place called Love the Child. Love the Child is an orphanage that has graciously opened its doors to become a kind of field clinic for people who were injured in the earthquake. There are 130 patients here plus all of their family members.

The clinic is focused mostly on post-operative care, which is a gap in this emergency. Back in Port-Au-Prince, one of the greatest concerns is with follow-up care. There are so many people in need of urgent care and surgeries, that quickly developing a plan for follow-up care has been difficult for organizations providing medical care. As a result, people who've had amputations or other surgeries develop infections and go through trauma all over again.

This clinic has been able to ensure that people are recovering fully.

The care at this compound is very good. And the conditions are good. But it is still a very sad situation. Today, a young girl arrived by ambulance from a different hospital - so that she could receive good after-care here. She had what looked like a broken wrist and her foot had been amputated.

We were discussing the other night how long it will take for Haitians to get over the trauma the country has experienced. As with this little girl, signs of the earthquake will remain for an entire generation.
Posted by Chris at 6:26 PM 1 comments

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http://www.arcrelief.org/site/PageServer?pagename=haiti_earthquake2010

Public Information & Donor Contact
With questions, please contact our Donor Engagement Coordinator, Jessica Phinney, 612) 607-6480 or 800) 875-7060.

Company Campaigns: The American Refugee Committee can assist you in setting up a matching gift campaign for your employees, and in making in-kind donations and/or corporate donations. Contact Emily Porter for more information at (612) 872-7060 and EmilyP@archq.org.

Think creatively! Organize your community to help bring relief to the people of Haiti. Our staff is on hand to support you. You can contact Jenna Moeger at (612) 872-7060 at any time.

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Feb. 8, 2010

Our Public Affairs Manager Therese Gales arrived in Haiti this morning, with a KARE 11 news team. Here's their blog: http://bit.ly/9U7DMU

TWITTER -
http://twitter.com/arcrelief

FACEBOOK -
http://www.facebook.com/?filter=fl_1295358898255#/ARCrelief?ref=nf

Blogs -
http://www.arcrelief-haiti.blogspot.com/
http://www.inportauprince.blogspot.com/

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SEE CAT FACILITY RECORD FOR LOVE A CHILD AT: https://ccc.haghy.com/shelters/5057