Haiti Earthquake – First Assessment
Phillip Murphy – January 17-20
The general status of Port-au-prince at this time is best described as chaotic at best. Haiti on the other hand is a mixture of chaos and an attempt to act as if this is just another day. North of the Capital, markets attempt to function normally and one would not know that there was a problem except for the steady stream of cars loaded with suitcases and personal goods fleeing the disaster areas.
Communication was one of the first frustrations we recognized. Those on the ground trying to assist and distribute aid felt very crippled by the fact that they could not locate people or find out where assistance was most needed. A company from Orlando has donated several mobile communications satellite systems. These were being set up in strategic locations until fixed sites could be put into place then the mobile unit would be moved. These units support phones and Internet connections. Local phone lines were not working at all when we arrived and were sparse, at best, by the time we left Haiti. We had to make ten calls in order to get one through; sometimes it took 20 calls.
Security was the topic of discussion that capitalized most thoughts. The distribution of services and goods was crippled by the fear of riots and violence. As a result, people were dying unnecessarily. By the time we left on Wednesday, security was being set into place.
Main Roads on the Northern side (Delmas) of the Capitol are open. Damaged buildings continue to collapse as a result of the aftershocks. The harder hit areas in downtown and towards the epi center towards Leogone are almost 100% destroyed. In some cases the roads are even buckled and damaged. The concern is that traffic will block the roads once fuel is available and vehicles fill the streets.
Vehicle and cooking fuel were being delivered by the second day on the ground but it was on and off and everything was bought out very quickly. The biggest need in most areas at this time is clean water. Many cisterns were cracked and all water had leaked out. I was not able to find out if any water filtering companies were up and running. We found no one selling clean water anywhere.
After speaking with several medical personnel on the ground, the general consensus is that the crucial window of time is right now. Serious and not so serious injuries are causing deaths. A few hospitals remained up and functioning while most national staff had immediately left their posts. Aid workers and Doctors from other countries were doing the best they could under horrific conditions. Because of the security concerns, medical supplies were not moving fast enough and the Doctors on the ground were pulling non stop shifts and were exhausted. A lack of proper equipment was forcing the medical professionals to do things such as operate with pocket knives and no anesthesia. There was no Tetanus to be found. The Red Cross had some in country but it was not yet to the distribution centers. The medical people I spoke with are very concerned about the possibility of a Cholera outbreak, which they fear will wipe out most of the remaining survivors. The medical professionals needed are General Practitioners, Pediatricians and surgeons. Many people are going to die from infections caused by untreated breaks and wounds. The medicines being requested are:
Antibiotics:
Tetracycline
Doxacycline
Rocephin
Pain killers:
Vicadin
Codine
Darvaset
Bacterial problems caused by unclean water are a huge fear. Therefore Flagil and Bactrim is being requested for the weeks and months to come.
John Ackerman is supporting a medical team that has been set up at Heartline ministries. They have turned their sewing house into a hospital. John is trying to keep them supplied with equipment, meds and supplies.
Phyllis Newby was visited on this trip. Their compound was mostly untouched. She is ready and willing to house people and operate the hospital. The hospital is there ready to serve but it is more than an hour and a half to get there from Port.
Quisqueya Christian School is being set up now as a distribution center. The U.S. military had moved onto campus before we left Haiti. The hope here was that the military could help provide security for both goods and services coming into and going out of the school campus. Mr. Ted Steinhauer is the schools plant manager. He is presently acting as the chief coordinator for the relief efforts. He and the school director, Mr. Steve Hersey are identifying locals where help is needed and acting as a clearing house for those wanting to help with goods and services. Those wanting to help in Haiti can contact the following persons. Please do this before going down.
Those seeking to help in Haiti with goods and services need to contact one or more of the following in Haiti before going or sending anything: Also note that those going down need to be mostly self sufficient for food and be ready to sleep wherever. Water can be found but water tablets and filters need to be taken down.
Ted Steinhauer: 877-806-1968 ( this is a stateside number)
Steve Hersey: 877-318-9517 (stateside number)
These three men can locate places for those with goods and services to be matched with those needs and locals on the ground. If there are any snags, please contact me (Phile Murphy) via phone at 863-232-6691 or 863-438-9671 or philonnie@hotmail.com or facebook.
MY THOUGHTS:
Very soon, those on the ground will need some serious counseling and time off. Professionals are needed to help them process and rest. Phyllis Newby has a home on the beach that could serve as a place to relax and get some help. She can house some 30 people I think. Within the next few weeks teams are needed to help set up housing and clear work sites. In the Callebasse area we had few deaths but many destroyed homes. I would guess that more than 50% of the homes are damaged beyond use. About 50% of the C.O.P. kids homes were destroyed.
Items to be sent other than meds are:
Tents
Tarps
Plastic
Rope etc.
Below is a note sent to me on face book from Els Vervloet
I am receiving many emails/requests about sending medical teams to Haiti, here are some guidelines
INFORMATION FOR SENDING TEAMS
1. Your teams need to be self sufficient, including pillows, air mattresses. Think ‘camping’ but without pots and pans.
2. QCS Earthquake Crisis Center will do the logistics for you: finding the hospital/place for you to work.
3. Your teams preferable should have: 1 orthopedic surgeon, pediatric surgeon, other surgeon(s), ER nurse(s), pre/post op nurses.
4. Bring your own supplies as much as possible
4. It is recommended that your stay in Haiti is NOT shorter than 1 week
5. When you are staying at QCS, we will provide ‘housing’ and food/drinks
6. To help our organization, donations are welcome
7. Date and time of arrival. Arriving at PAP airport? or by land from Dominican Republic?
Your return plans.
Do you need transportation?
8. Any other information that you think is necessary for us to know before you arrive
Phil Murphy
January 23, 2010