HRI IS RESPONDING TO A MASSIVE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN HAITI!

I am sure that you have read about the humanitarian crisis that Haiti and the Haitian people are experiencing. The scale of unrest, violence and massive internal displacement we are witnessing, particularly in the capital city of Port Au Prince (PAP), is unprecedented. The resulting misery is indescribable. Most organizations have paused activities in PAP due to the high degree of insecurity and risk. However, HRI is ramping up our support for the victims of this needless violence, in addition to our ongoing, increasingly critical work to ensure children living in orphanages have sufficient food and water, and that any medical needs are met.

Sadly, communication is unreliable as many lines have been cut, but our staff are troopers! They are working in the field and at the office in spite of the fact that the population has been told to shelter in place.

WHAT HRI IS DOING TO SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF THE VIOLENCE‍

We are partnering with one of the few operational hospitals that is severely understaffed due to the current situation. Our physician, nurse, social worker, and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) specialist are gearing up to work with and treat victims by the end of this week. Our physician and nurse will be on the front line working directly with patients suffering from injuries related to the violence. Our social worker will be working with women and children to help them to cope with the trauma they have witnessed and survived, and our WASH expert will be providing training on how to avoid illnesses, particularly cholera, during these times of great shortages of food and water.  

We are also gearing up to re-initiate the provision of direct treatment and support to the displaced population of women and children via mobile health clinics. This is particularly dangerous, and our team and partner organization will be required to practice the utmost caution.

Our team remains vigilant, as we continue to respond to the greatest needs despite the risks and crises we face.

OUR WORK WITH CHILDREN IN ORPHANAGES‍

We are in daily contact with all 13 orphanages we support, whenever phone lines are accessible. We have been successfully ensuring no child goes without food or clean water, although even this is becoming more and more challenging with the shortages of food and water. We are in the process of enlarging our psychosocial support program so we can counsel the children and advise the staff on how to protect their mental health during this time.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. PRAY: For an end to the violence. For sustainable solutions. For the safety of our team and those we serve.
   
2. GIVE: We desperately need to increase the amount of food, water and fuel used for cooking provided to nearly 500 orphans and caretakers in 13 orphanages in case the city runs out completely. And we need to bolster the supplies for our mobile medical clinics and hospital support.

Please join us as we continue to respond to help the children and women most in need!

‍
Rachel Zelon
Founder & CEO

P.S. Watch interview on KOCO News 5.