Dictated over phone by Robin Schwartz and Dr. Peter Tinnemann
At our St. Helen home in Kenscoff, all of our staff have returned to work but we are unsure about the teachers since school is currently not in session. A truckload of food donated by the World Food Program arrived at St. Helen and we estimate that the supply will last four weeks. Also UNICEF is providing us with a steady milk supply for the children in the hospital.
Adult cases are still decreasing at the hospital. Today there were roughly 60 volunteer medical doctors, nurses and paramedics. We have improved our OR shifts and working 24-hours on surgeries. It is a very inspiring team who are in good mood and spirits.
There are roughly 200 patients and only a few are camping outside. This evening local radio stations talked about numerous aftershocks and patients received news by cell phone feeling anxious to hear this news.
The medical team medevacked15 patients with spinal cord injuries and two patients with closed head injuries. A US volunteer physician is helping to facilitate the transports based on the help of Senator John Edwards, together with Paul Haggis, both of whom visited the hospital today. Sean Penn and Maria Bello, representing Artists for Peace and Justice also came to see us. The University of Miami medical team is on the ground in Haiti. They assessed these 17 patients and approved their transport for treatment. The Haitian patients will be returned to Haiti after they receive the specialty care which is not available in Haiti.
Mobile clinics were in town today and working fine and we have plans for the program to expand. At the moment the UN and Haitian ministry of health described 600 temporary makeshift campsites from 1000 to tens of thousands of people. The UN is currently trying to organize a response to these camps. Help requires shelter protection from the rain, food, water, sanitation, medical treatment and a vaccination campaign. Concerns rising in the health community and other NGOs are that there will be a shortage of food and potential epidemic outbreaks.
A few of the St Luke street school buildings were destroyed in Cite Soleil and Wharf Jeremy but some are still intact and some are in the process of being assessed. Regardless all school are closed. The buildings that are usable will be opened as clinics or for food distribution centers. The medical clinic in Wharf Jeremy is still standing and appears to be okay.
The next step for outreach activities is to go into the communities and provide services to the people living in temporary shelters. Top priorities are food, water, sanitation and vaccinations. Since the St. Luke Outreach team has worked in these communities for years, we are in good position to help.
Bolivia Update
Dear NPH Family,
I have received many emails about the earthquakes here in Bolivia, thank you for your concern for our family. I am thankful to be able to report that we are fine, most of the children and staff did not even feel the earthquakes and we have had absolutely no damages to our home, the nearby communities are also fine.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
Thank you,
Kara King
Interim National Director, NPH Bolivia
Showing posts with label Haiti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haiti. Show all posts
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Six One News Friday 21 January
The Six One News tomorrow Friday 21 January will have a special feature on Haiti with commentry in the studio and from Haiti. I think their coverage has been very balanced compared to some of the dedicated news networks so it might be a good one to watch.
Google Maps have released a series of highly detailed images of Haiti before and after the earthquake. See the series here.
The Mayo News website whole front page is devoted to Gena. See it here.
I didn't post the NPFS update from the 19th or 20th as they are now being posted very quickly to the NPFS website. If you look at the update for the 21st there is an amazing account from Peter Tinnemann on the progress being made in the hospital and the trading of aid between the various agencies.
Dont forget the Garda Club on Saturday night!
Google Maps have released a series of highly detailed images of Haiti before and after the earthquake. See the series here.
The Mayo News website whole front page is devoted to Gena. See it here.
I didn't post the NPFS update from the 19th or 20th as they are now being posted very quickly to the NPFS website. If you look at the update for the 21st there is an amazing account from Peter Tinnemann on the progress being made in the hospital and the trading of aid between the various agencies.
Dont forget the Garda Club on Saturday night!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Six One News - RTE1
Gena featured on the Six One news tonight on RTE 1. It will be available on the RTE Player for the next 7 days. The link is here. You need to go to about 8:04 minutes into the report to get to the Haiti report. The same report was also on the Nine O'Clock news.
Gena sent an open letter yesterday which I am going to publish here as she has such a lovely way of expressing herself and it gives a real sense of who she is as a person and also the reality of what she is going through over there. I really hope that the volunteers and staff are getting some emotional support and help too.
"One week later and still the wounded are not treated. One week later and so many dead, injured or just disappeared. Amazing how fast the world we live in can change. Kids in the orphanage still sleeping outdoors - except for my kids- they are inside since last week. All are fine and not in any way suffering from the tragedy.
I am in the hospital in Tabarre every day - helping where i can. The husband of the directrice of our special needs school is paralised from the chest down and in danger of dying if he does not get to the states so we are all working on that and hopefully he will get out tomorrow.
Lots of people helping out and everyone doiong what they can. So many people left without arms or legs and my God they are so so strong. Lying in their beds, not complaining at all and they have lost so much. One girl lost a leg when she was rescuing her younger siblings.
I dunno what to say - so many emotions and really no time to deal with them. At night when I lie down, the bed seems to be forever shaking, when I go to the loo it seems to shake and really when i talk to people they say it is the same for them.
My heart aches for Haiti and the Haitian people. My heart aches for those I have loved and lost. Some people blame God or wonder if he is even here. I do not blame God nor do I doubt his existence. My mind is logical. this was a natural disaster and it wreaked so much havoc because haiti was in a mess long before the earthquake.People in tents all over the place- makeshift ones. Are they getting help? I worry for osme cos who will find them where they are, off the beaten path?
How am I? I am ok. I am alive and happy to be alive. i am happy for all the support I know I receive, from people I know and people I do not know. I am sad- as is everyone here. We have lost a lot but we have a lot to work for still. There is no time to grieve just now. Well maybe there is but we choose not to take it cos the wounded need us to be strong if they are to survive.. So we are ok and we are people of faith and we believe we can make things just a little better. For now this is all I can bring out of my mind.Love to all.Gena"
Gena sent an open letter yesterday which I am going to publish here as she has such a lovely way of expressing herself and it gives a real sense of who she is as a person and also the reality of what she is going through over there. I really hope that the volunteers and staff are getting some emotional support and help too.
"One week later and still the wounded are not treated. One week later and so many dead, injured or just disappeared. Amazing how fast the world we live in can change. Kids in the orphanage still sleeping outdoors - except for my kids- they are inside since last week. All are fine and not in any way suffering from the tragedy.
I am in the hospital in Tabarre every day - helping where i can. The husband of the directrice of our special needs school is paralised from the chest down and in danger of dying if he does not get to the states so we are all working on that and hopefully he will get out tomorrow.
Lots of people helping out and everyone doiong what they can. So many people left without arms or legs and my God they are so so strong. Lying in their beds, not complaining at all and they have lost so much. One girl lost a leg when she was rescuing her younger siblings.
I dunno what to say - so many emotions and really no time to deal with them. At night when I lie down, the bed seems to be forever shaking, when I go to the loo it seems to shake and really when i talk to people they say it is the same for them.
My heart aches for Haiti and the Haitian people. My heart aches for those I have loved and lost. Some people blame God or wonder if he is even here. I do not blame God nor do I doubt his existence. My mind is logical. this was a natural disaster and it wreaked so much havoc because haiti was in a mess long before the earthquake.People in tents all over the place- makeshift ones. Are they getting help? I worry for osme cos who will find them where they are, off the beaten path?
How am I? I am ok. I am alive and happy to be alive. i am happy for all the support I know I receive, from people I know and people I do not know. I am sad- as is everyone here. We have lost a lot but we have a lot to work for still. There is no time to grieve just now. Well maybe there is but we choose not to take it cos the wounded need us to be strong if they are to survive.. So we are ok and we are people of faith and we believe we can make things just a little better. For now this is all I can bring out of my mind.Love to all.Gena"
Haiti Aftershock 6.1
Have just had confirmation that Gena is ok after the latest aftershock which CNN are reporting as 6.1.
NPFS Fundraiser Saturday 23rd January
Venue: Garda Club, Harrington Street
Date: Saturday 23rd January
Time: Doors 8:30
Ten Euro Entry
Line up includes : Tony Boylan, Selfless Good Deeds, the Dickheads, the Cool Rockin' Daddies plus special guests
Please come - and bring a friend!
Date: Saturday 23rd January
Time: Doors 8:30
Ten Euro Entry
Line up includes : Tony Boylan, Selfless Good Deeds, the Dickheads, the Cool Rockin' Daddies plus special guests
Please come - and bring a friend!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
NUI Coffee Morning
I've got a few email from friends and relatives of Kieran Rigney to let me know that a coffee morning has been arranged for Wednesday and Thursday morning in NUI Galway. Many thanks to those organising it. Hopefully it will be a big success.
NPFS Update Monday 18th January
In addition to circulating the daily update from NPFS Haiti I can post details here of any fundraising efforts you might want to publicise. This offer is open to any group raising money for Haiti, not just NPFS, of course! Just email me at irishresponse@gmail.com and I'll post your details with the next update.
Dictated over phone by Robin Schwartz and Dr. Peter Tinnemann
Currently we have 200-250 patients in the hospital. Today our doctors attended to 72 patients, mostly fractures and wounds. Patients are coming to us from as far as the other side of Port-au-Prince and they are desperate to find medical care. We are concerned because we are not seeing many malnourished children cases, which is typically the population of children that come to St Damien. We still have more doctors and surgeons offering to help. In particular we had 20 Haitian volunteers working today. Two truckloads from the Dominican Republic arrived today with bottled water and powdered milk.
A Swedish newspaper, German press DPA , German TV station and Associated Press visited the hospital today. We are investigating the possibilities of setting up clinics at other locations in and around the capital.
The St. John Bosco student houses appear safe as there was no visible structural damage, but as a precaution, an Italian engineer is coming to evaluate them. They received a supply of food and water today. The children at St Helen are still sleeping outside on the basketball court. Hopefully with a visit from the Italian engineer, it will help reinforce psychologically that they are safe to enter. They received a supply of food, fuel and water today and a schedule has been designed to provide weekly deliveries from the Dominican Republic. Seventy-five children and youths in our St. John Bosco program that live with extended families will be relocated to St Helen because their homes were destroyed. We are working on an action plan to support other orphaned children.
The 30 special needs children that we rescued from the General Public Hospital have been moved over to the Kay Germaine rehabilitation center, adjacent to the St. Damien Hospital.
Maria Bello, a hollywood celebrity was on Larry King Live Sunday night where she spoke about her experience with NPFS Haiti and Fr. Rick Frechette. We were unsuccessful in finding the video but you can read the transcript at
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1001/17/lkl.01.html
Dictated over phone by Robin Schwartz and Dr. Peter Tinnemann
Currently we have 200-250 patients in the hospital. Today our doctors attended to 72 patients, mostly fractures and wounds. Patients are coming to us from as far as the other side of Port-au-Prince and they are desperate to find medical care. We are concerned because we are not seeing many malnourished children cases, which is typically the population of children that come to St Damien. We still have more doctors and surgeons offering to help. In particular we had 20 Haitian volunteers working today. Two truckloads from the Dominican Republic arrived today with bottled water and powdered milk.
A Swedish newspaper, German press DPA , German TV station and Associated Press visited the hospital today. We are investigating the possibilities of setting up clinics at other locations in and around the capital.
The St. John Bosco student houses appear safe as there was no visible structural damage, but as a precaution, an Italian engineer is coming to evaluate them. They received a supply of food and water today. The children at St Helen are still sleeping outside on the basketball court. Hopefully with a visit from the Italian engineer, it will help reinforce psychologically that they are safe to enter. They received a supply of food, fuel and water today and a schedule has been designed to provide weekly deliveries from the Dominican Republic. Seventy-five children and youths in our St. John Bosco program that live with extended families will be relocated to St Helen because their homes were destroyed. We are working on an action plan to support other orphaned children.
The 30 special needs children that we rescued from the General Public Hospital have been moved over to the Kay Germaine rehabilitation center, adjacent to the St. Damien Hospital.
Maria Bello, a hollywood celebrity was on Larry King Live Sunday night where she spoke about her experience with NPFS Haiti and Fr. Rick Frechette. We were unsuccessful in finding the video but you can read the transcript at
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1001/17/lkl.01.html
Monday, January 18, 2010
Nurses needed for Haiti
The following request has been issued from NPH.
At this time we are compiling an on call database of medical volunteers for Haiti. Our most urgent need is NURSES.Candidates should have a prior relationship with NPH, MUST be self-sufficient, bring their own food and supplies plus spend a minimum of two weeks in country. French and or Creole is preferred but not mandatory.
I have additional information available if interested.
At this time we are compiling an on call database of medical volunteers for Haiti. Our most urgent need is NURSES.Candidates should have a prior relationship with NPH, MUST be self-sufficient, bring their own food and supplies plus spend a minimum of two weeks in country. French and or Creole is preferred but not mandatory.
I have additional information available if interested.
Haiti Update Sunday 17 January
St. Damien Update
Today, Fr. Rick left to return to the US to take care of his dying mother. We wish him peace and safe travels during this difficult time. Meanwhile, Dr. Roberto from Italy is filling in as Medical Director of St. Damien.
Our triage is functioning nicely and we continue with registration but we aren't able to analyze figures yet; we should know more in the next few days.
The wounds of the patients that are coming in are getting worse. There are fractures and soft tissue injuries. Besides the medical volunteer teams that are on the way, we are receiving people at the door to volunteer. Today a team of traveling surgeons from the Dominican Republic were making castings. We are continually being amazed by our staff.
There are now tents in the back yard where the Italians set-up a state of the art operating system to help supplement our work.
The second OR is now functioning so people continue to receive surgery without pause.
The first of the ground shipment of supplies was received. Two trucks arrived with food and medical supplies organized by NPH DR, paid by Andrea Bocelli.
Patients and staff have returned to some areas of the hospital that were closed. The Italian Civil Defense forces said it was safe. This was a huge help because we were concerned for children that were exposed to the weather. People are afraid and not everyone wants to go inside. We are working on convincing the staff in a kind and practical manner.
A one-year-old baby arrived with part of her skull and face missing. A visiting celebrity, Jimmy Jean Luis took her photo to show on CNN’s Larry King Live tonight. We hope with this national exposure that we might be able to connect with an organization that can help us find her some continued medical assistance.
Today there were visits from the top two anchors of the UK, Sky TG 24 from Italy, LA 7 Telecom and American Fox 5. The journalists are typically overwhelmed when they visit us.
St Damien Update dictated over phone by Peter Tinnemann to Monica Gery
Today, Fr. Rick left to return to the US to take care of his dying mother. We wish him peace and safe travels during this difficult time. Meanwhile, Dr. Roberto from Italy is filling in as Medical Director of St. Damien.
Our triage is functioning nicely and we continue with registration but we aren't able to analyze figures yet; we should know more in the next few days.
The wounds of the patients that are coming in are getting worse. There are fractures and soft tissue injuries. Besides the medical volunteer teams that are on the way, we are receiving people at the door to volunteer. Today a team of traveling surgeons from the Dominican Republic were making castings. We are continually being amazed by our staff.
There are now tents in the back yard where the Italians set-up a state of the art operating system to help supplement our work.
The second OR is now functioning so people continue to receive surgery without pause.
The first of the ground shipment of supplies was received. Two trucks arrived with food and medical supplies organized by NPH DR, paid by Andrea Bocelli.
Patients and staff have returned to some areas of the hospital that were closed. The Italian Civil Defense forces said it was safe. This was a huge help because we were concerned for children that were exposed to the weather. People are afraid and not everyone wants to go inside. We are working on convincing the staff in a kind and practical manner.
A one-year-old baby arrived with part of her skull and face missing. A visiting celebrity, Jimmy Jean Luis took her photo to show on CNN’s Larry King Live tonight. We hope with this national exposure that we might be able to connect with an organization that can help us find her some continued medical assistance.
Today there were visits from the top two anchors of the UK, Sky TG 24 from Italy, LA 7 Telecom and American Fox 5. The journalists are typically overwhelmed when they visit us.
St Damien Update dictated over phone by Peter Tinnemann to Monica Gery
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Media Links for NPFS
Here are some links to pictures and news reports that show the Hospital and the damage in Petionville.
This is the article featuring Gena and Meave from the Irish Times yesterday.
These pictures are also from yesterday. Thankfully it looks like they are getting some UN assistance now.
MonicaGery's other Picassa albums show clearly the damage to the hospital and the Fr Wasson Centre - the old hospice.
This is Fr Rick on NBC the day after he arrived - Friday.
This is an abc news report from St Damien also with Fr Rick. (You have to watch an ad before you get to it).
On a practical note Oxfam Ireland are urgently looking for volunteers collect funds. These are the Dublin contact details - ania.rutkowska@oxfamireland.org / 1850 30 40 55
Even if you feel that you can't do anything and feel helpless remember 'whatever your faith, religion, beliefs (or none)– please take a moment to pause, pray, meditate for those suffering in Haiti'.
If you have any other links of interest please let me know and I'll post them here.
This is the article featuring Gena and Meave from the Irish Times yesterday.
These pictures are also from yesterday. Thankfully it looks like they are getting some UN assistance now.
MonicaGery's other Picassa albums show clearly the damage to the hospital and the Fr Wasson Centre - the old hospice.
This is Fr Rick on NBC the day after he arrived - Friday.
This is an abc news report from St Damien also with Fr Rick. (You have to watch an ad before you get to it).
On a practical note Oxfam Ireland are urgently looking for volunteers collect funds. These are the Dublin contact details - ania.rutkowska@oxfamireland.org / 1850 30 40 55
Even if you feel that you can't do anything and feel helpless remember 'whatever your faith, religion, beliefs (or none)– please take a moment to pause, pray, meditate for those suffering in Haiti'.
If you have any other links of interest please let me know and I'll post them here.
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