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SITUATION REPORT

January 18, 2010. Haiti Earthquake – UPADATE

“I have never seen anything like this. It is extremely difficult to bring aid into Port au Prince and then distribute it to the people in need.

Valerie Scherrer The damage sustained by the airport is limiting in-coming aid flights, the closure of the port means aid shipments are being redirected, and ground transportation is taking at least twice as long as normal from the Dominican Republic.

All these infrastructure challenges mean it is taking much longer to get aid into Haiti and ultimately onto those who need it most.”

– Valerie Scherrer, cbm Emergency Coordinator, from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Current Situation

An estimated 45-50 thousand people have been killed. Decades of experience has shown that for every child killed in the quake, 3 will be left with a disability.
Valerie Scherrer, cbm emergency coordinator, reports: Government of Haiti supposed to announce all residents of Port-au-Prince must return to their region/province of origin in the hope that this will decrease stress on the city. This could considerably tax the humanitarian effort – as many hospital staff and local humanitarian workers will have to leave Port-au-Prince.
Immediate priorities continue to be medical assistance, shelter, water, food, sanitation and dealing with dead bodies.
High demand for Fuel – used to power hospital generators, needed to care for people who are wounded.
Amputating crushed limbs is the most common surgical intervention being performed at the few medical clinics still operating in Port-au-Prince since last Tuesday. As a result, after the rubble is cleared, the need for prosthetics and rehabilitation will be tremendous.

View cbm Project Reports

Matching Gift Update:

cbm Canada is eligible for matching funds from the Canadian government from January 12 to February 12, 2010.
(Through CIDA, the Canadian International Development Association).

January 12, 2010. 4:53 PM. - An Earthquake Hits Haiti

An Earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck Haiti, 17 km SW of the capital, Port-au-prince.
3 million people in need of food, water, shelter and life-saving medical care. Children most vulnerable to sickness and death. Aftershocks have been felt measuring 5.9 and 5.5. More are expected.
Major buildings, offices, hotels and shops have collapsed – burying hundreds, possibly thousands. Injuring many more.
One of Port Au Prince’s hospitals has collapsed – escalating the demand on remaining medical infrastructure... two of which would be cbm supported hospitals.

cbm's presence in Port-au-Prince:

cbm has 2 Partner Hospitals in Port-au-prince – Grace Children’s Hospital and the University Hospital.
As of now, there’s no word as to the damage these hospitals have suffered – if they’re still standing and operational.
Our International programs staff estimates the number of injured children, men and women demanding hospital services will increase 10 times.
cbm has 50,000 clients in Port Au Prince: Including people with disabilities, children who received surgery or rehabilitation, and people treated for disabling diseases. cbm’s clients whereabouts are currently unknown.