Haiti Earthquake: first report
To those who don’t know, I have gone on an emergency mission with Operation Rainbow to help with relief from the Earthquake that has devastated Haiti. And to those who will read on, please know that some of the images may be very tough to see.
This post is to bring awareness to what’s going on right here on the ground, with the purpose of encouraging you to donate to Operation Rainbow more than ever. We have a team here all week, and this team and the resources affect all other missions scheduled for Latin America. Another team is set to arrive this weekend, as this relief effort will last for a long time to come. We therefore need your help.
Haiti Earthquake: Operation Rainbow at the hospital
There are far, far too many injured people to fathom. We are in a location just on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Many of the injured have been moved here by military and humanitarian officials in Port Au Prince. There are hundreds and hundreds of injured just in our vicinity, with more on the way.
There is a lot of military around, guarding all aspects of the hospital’s supplies and personnel.
Guards outside our operating room
Guarding the supplies
Helicopters are a constant presence: bringing supplies, patients, transporting patients, and military/political officials and news outlets.
The chaos
There are injured that literally line the floors and hallways of structures that now operate as as a cross between a hospital and a refugee camp.
This place is unreal, and in dire need of more international assistance. Since our arrival, other teams from Puerto Rico, Japan, Canada, various states in the U.S., and Europe have arrived. While everyone is here to offer their help, the chaos from various teams arriving all at once has made coordination efforts complicated. Operation Rainbow’s extensive mobile surgery experience has made our efforts very fluid in working with other teams, and we have grounded ourselves in less than a day as a solid organization with well-respected staff.
An unexpected blessing
One blessing from all this tragedy was the birth of a new baby, aided by Operation Rainbow staff working with pediatric and OB/GYN physicians from other teams. A c-section was performed because of the mother’s health. The result was a safely delivered, healthy baby boy.
United with mom
The hope that we’ll help save
It was a delight to witness this wonderful birth, and a needed break from the sad chaos we’re seeing. But there are still so many that need help. Please, consider donating. The images below are what we see more than anything else. These are what break all our hearts.
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