Emergency email communications to donors and stakeholders
keeping them apprised of the impact of
Hurricane Matthew on Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti.
October 5, 2016
Hurricane Matthew, a Category 4 storm, is the strongest storm in the Carribean in nearly a decade. While the hospital has not endured any physical damage at this point, two of our rural community health centers, Tienne and Bastien, have been closed due to the dangerous road conditions in the mountains. The Liancourt and Deschapelles health centers, located in the plains, remain open unless conditions dictate that we close them.
As of yet, HAS has not seen any injuries sustained during the hurricane, but as the hurricane passes and communities return to normal activities (particularly remote communities) on roads damaged by flooding or mudslides, the hospital and community health staff do expect to see an increase in injuries, as well as patients with waterbourne illnesses such as cholera, which will most likely spike due to the rain and the destruction of sanitation infrastructure.
Due to its 60 year presence in Haiti, HAS has the facilities, staff and necessary systems in place that enable the Haitian medical team to respond immediately to hurricane victims. This network of clinicians and community health workers affords HAS the ability to effectively and quickly reach the approximately 350,000 people in their 610 square mile service area.
With sufficient funding, HAS can continue saving lives and treating injured and sick people during the aftermath Hurricane Matthew. Your gift will help with the following:
Costs of bringing injured people to HAS for appropriate medical care
Additional medical supplies needed to treat patients with cholera or other waterborne diseases
Costs for any additional doctors, nurses, or medical staff to treat patients
Costs for increased community education, mobilization and hygiene supplies for communities with cholera outbreaks
Your donation would go a long way toward helping HAS save lives and treat patients. We are very grateful for your consideration at a time of tremendous need for the people of Haiti.