Even weeks after the initial quake, the devastation in Haiti has far
from subsided. Despite continued relief efforts, millions of Haitian
people remain injured and homeless, waiting helplessly for medical
treatment and basic provisions; they continue to suffer.
Local builder Robert Courtney and nurse midwife Bernice McClellan returned to the area this week after an eight-day relief effort in Haiti. Both made the journey as part of a larger effort organized by Children Of The Nations (COTN), and worked at an evacuation center in Jamini, a town in the Dominican Republic that borders Haiti.
As if the quake wasn't harmful enough, the resulting conditions of Port au Prince are a substantial obstacle in alleviating the aftershock and, although just back from the scene, Courtney and McClellan are eager to continue helping.
Courtney and McClellan described the catastrophe, the devastation that is Port au Prince. Poor infrastructure, debris, and sparse and barely navigable roadways challenge relief efforts, making it extremely difficult to deliver supplies and aid.
"The quake was substantial, but if it happened in the U.S. we wouldn't have seen this level of devastation because we build things to withstand a certain level of catastrophe. To say the construction [in Haiti] is substandard would be an understatement," he said.
After witnessing the destruction in Port au Prince, Courtney is eager to return and help with the rebuilding effort.
"They don't need work done for them; they are very resilient and resourceful people. I noticed from working with them that they just want help; they don't necessarily need the world to do it for them. But if someone can show them how to build better, how to do it correctly, the Haitian people can start to rebuild," he said.
As time passes, the need for medical assistance - the extent and the amount - only continues to grow.
One in three victims is missing at least one limb. Countless men, women and children have major deep wounds and internal injuries from being crushed and are helplessly awaiting aid.
"The first round is to just keep them alive and button them up as well as possible, but because of the conditions - bugs, flies, and filth - you just can't control what would be normal operating room infections, and more people will die if they don't get additional care," Courtney said.
The severity and extent of injuries command continued relief. One-time medical attention, even if immediate, will barely make a dent in the amount of aid needed.
Due to the extreme number of injured and the shortage of medical providers and supplies, a large percentage of Haitians have yet to be helped, and many require far more aid.
"You see people with broken bones and pins sticking out of them just to keep them in place. They're going to need long-term care or they're going to be handicapped," he said.
In all the chaos and suffering, McClellan found optimism and strength among the Haitian people.
"I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like the devastation or the indomitable spirit of the people who live there. The Haitian people have a very strong faith; even though there were more tremors while we were there, they really worked to help each other and were very appreciate of the help we gave them," she said.
"No matter what country you're from, family is really, really important. I saw families reunited with their children and loved ones who they thought were gone, they thought they were dead," McClellan said.
Now that she's back in the U.S., McClellan aims to help continue the relief effort. She and Courtney are collecting medical supplies, food and living necessities to ship to Haiti. Monetary donations will also be used to pay for shipping these supplies and fund further relief trips.
"No matter what people want to give, we'll figure out a way to get it there. But these are pretty hard economic times, some people can give and some people can just pray, and I think both are valuable," McClellan said.
Those able to help can drop off "happy packs" and/or "personal care packs" at Select Sotheby's Realty located at 270 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Monetary donations can be made online at www.haitirelieffundny.org.
"We are certainly a fortunate country; we take for granted what we have, what's available to us. After witnessing first hand the extreme poverty from even beyond the devastation, I would suggest we don't forget them, it's so easy to forget yesterday's news," Courtney said.
Items needed:
Happy Packs: rice, beans (dry), tuna fish, peanut butter, powdered baby formula, granola bars, cereal, canned fruit, small pots and pans, and Ramen noodles. Personal Care Packs: toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash cloths, bars of soap, comb/brush, feminine hygiene products, and shampoo.
As if the quake wasn't harmful enough, the resulting conditions of Port au Prince are a substantial obstacle in alleviating the aftershock and, although just back from the scene, Courtney and McClellan are eager to continue helping.
Courtney and McClellan described the catastrophe, the devastation that is Port au Prince. Poor infrastructure, debris, and sparse and barely navigable roadways challenge relief efforts, making it extremely difficult to deliver supplies and aid.
"The quake was substantial, but if it happened in the U.S. we wouldn't have seen this level of devastation because we build things to withstand a certain level of catastrophe. To say the construction [in Haiti] is substandard would be an understatement," he said.
After witnessing the destruction in Port au Prince, Courtney is eager to return and help with the rebuilding effort.
"They don't need work done for them; they are very resilient and resourceful people. I noticed from working with them that they just want help; they don't necessarily need the world to do it for them. But if someone can show them how to build better, how to do it correctly, the Haitian people can start to rebuild," he said.
As time passes, the need for medical assistance - the extent and the amount - only continues to grow.
One in three victims is missing at least one limb. Countless men, women and children have major deep wounds and internal injuries from being crushed and are helplessly awaiting aid.
"The first round is to just keep them alive and button them up as well as possible, but because of the conditions - bugs, flies, and filth - you just can't control what would be normal operating room infections, and more people will die if they don't get additional care," Courtney said.
The severity and extent of injuries command continued relief. One-time medical attention, even if immediate, will barely make a dent in the amount of aid needed.
Due to the extreme number of injured and the shortage of medical providers and supplies, a large percentage of Haitians have yet to be helped, and many require far more aid.
"You see people with broken bones and pins sticking out of them just to keep them in place. They're going to need long-term care or they're going to be handicapped," he said.
In all the chaos and suffering, McClellan found optimism and strength among the Haitian people.
"I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like the devastation or the indomitable spirit of the people who live there. The Haitian people have a very strong faith; even though there were more tremors while we were there, they really worked to help each other and were very appreciate of the help we gave them," she said.
"No matter what country you're from, family is really, really important. I saw families reunited with their children and loved ones who they thought were gone, they thought they were dead," McClellan said.
Now that she's back in the U.S., McClellan aims to help continue the relief effort. She and Courtney are collecting medical supplies, food and living necessities to ship to Haiti. Monetary donations will also be used to pay for shipping these supplies and fund further relief trips.
"No matter what people want to give, we'll figure out a way to get it there. But these are pretty hard economic times, some people can give and some people can just pray, and I think both are valuable," McClellan said.
Those able to help can drop off "happy packs" and/or "personal care packs" at Select Sotheby's Realty located at 270 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Monetary donations can be made online at www.haitirelieffundny.org.
"We are certainly a fortunate country; we take for granted what we have, what's available to us. After witnessing first hand the extreme poverty from even beyond the devastation, I would suggest we don't forget them, it's so easy to forget yesterday's news," Courtney said.
Items needed:
Happy Packs: rice, beans (dry), tuna fish, peanut butter, powdered baby formula, granola bars, cereal, canned fruit, small pots and pans, and Ramen noodles. Personal Care Packs: toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash cloths, bars of soap, comb/brush, feminine hygiene products, and shampoo.
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