Two months later: HI’s emergency earthquake response continues
The earthquake that hit Haiti claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread desolation. Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is actively responding and has already provided 1200 rehabilitation sessions to people injured.
An HI rehabilitation specialist and partner physical therapist teach a woman to walk on her new crutches after breaking her tibia in the earthquake. Cayes, 2021 | © R.CREWS/HI
HI is supporting people injured by the earthquake
HI is working with a Haitian partner organization, FONTEN, to provide support to two hospitals and a rehabilitation center. Prior to the arrival of HI’s emergency team, the hospitals did not have the resources to offer rehabilitation services, and the rehabilitation center was understaffed and unable to meet the rise in demand.
“Having HI has made a huge difference,” says Conseulo Alzamora, founder of the FONTEN rehabilitation center. “The number of earthquake-related patients has risen, and our staff was also affected by the earthquake, so a lot of them were unable to come to work. Having the support of HI has been very important for us and for the community. It has allowed us to work and to do much more than we could have done on our own.”
Together with FONTEN and 7 physical therapists supported and trained by HI, the emergency response team has provided 1200 rehabilitation sessions to people injured in the earthquake.
An overview of HI’s response:
- HI’s team and partner organization continue to perform rehabilitation sessions to people injured in the quake;
- Provided mobility and assistive devices to hospitals and injured patients;
- HI is providing logistics support to deliver over 420 tons of humanitarian goods such as food, water, medical supplies, mobility aids and fuel to benefit the most affected; more than 150 tons have already been delivered.
- Begun clearing rubble and debris to open access to two affected regions (the Anglais and Charbonnieres);
- Recruited and trained seven physical therapists and provides capacity support to three medical centers in the Cayes;
- Coordinating with local and international organizations to ensure a holistic and inclusive response to the disaster.
HI’s next steps:
- Distribution of 1500 hygiene kits to people most vulnerable to the emergency
- Provide psychosocial support to affected communities and medical staff
