Sunday call with Chris, looks like Wednesday is the target day for coming back still, so three more days. Frustration is setting in I can tell, they have no supplies and it feels to her like they are not doing anything, almost lieing to the patients.
They have drugs like Tums, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, some ointments, but not a lot of what they really need. They are being told to treat the well because the sick will likely not survive. Everyone seems to have lice, scabies, intestinal worms, or a combination of the three, all are very sick. The next waves of disaster will include thousands dieing from disease, malnutrition, dehydration, etc. Then after that, hurricane season, this will not be pretty.
She says the streets are full of makeshift tents (bed sheets) because all the buildings are collapsed, the street is the only place to set things up. They are doing what they can to stay positive and do everything they can to make people well, but they have little they can do. Hopefully this improves with future teams (more teams and hopefully supplies coming in this next week).
And during all of this, there are births occurring. I saw pictures from Alden of a baby being delivered just the other day, what a world to be born into.
There was an earthquake yesterday that they all felt, at this point though most everyone is outside and most buildings are already collapsed.
Chris is trying to get on a surgical team, she has been talking with an orthopedic surgeon and may be going to help them. She is hoping that she can get somewhere where she can actually provide some meaningful care as right now she is not feeling that way.
Apparently the French Military & Fire Personnel arrived as well, and it's a welcome site to many of the women over there! They are all fresh and still clean I guess, but apparently very handsome too!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
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Thanks for the updates, you are all providing whatever aid, comfort and compassion you can. Hearing about the conditions from trusted people with first hand knowledge brings home the devastation the haitians are experiencing. It is tragic. My prayers are with you and with them. thank you
ReplyDeleteDear Ken & Chris P, thank you for your heartfelt updates. Please know that you all ARE doing the best you can with what you have available. We are continuing our Prayers for your strength, protection and safe journey home. It was good to see Niti, how are Trish & Scott? OX Crystal
ReplyDeletenot sure if someone might know, but wondering why there are no real supplies there? It seems like with all the $$ donations and publicity that this disaster has gotten, that there would be proper supplies. Have they just run out? is there just too high a demand? or have other areas gotten supplies but some areas haven't? just curious...
ReplyDeleteChris and team, you are doing such a great job. We admire you all, you are all doing wonderful work. Safe travels back on Wednesday.
Caroline, I didn't get an indication from Chris as to the real issue, but I have some ideas. One, things have been so backed up. The port and the airport were virtually destroyed causing huge log jams. But I think the real issue is the vast area of destruction and need plus independent organizations trying to work together. So for example, Doctors without Borders is probably bringing in their own supplies, the Red Cross theirs, and then you have the org that Chris is working with bringing in theirs. If there was one supply chain for them all and it was distributed around the entire region (small and large towns), maybe things would be different? Not sure....
ReplyDeleteKen, thank you so much for updating this blog so frequently. It gives many of us at work a peace of mind to know that our extended "family" is doing well out there in Haiti. If you have a moment to ask ChrisP on your next conversation, please ask if she or anyone else has seen Mateo. He is one of the first nurses to head out there, on his own, and I don't think anyone here has heard from him. Thanks a million and send them all our hugs and kisses!
ReplyDeleteStacey, I sure will ask about Mateo. Do you know if he went on his own, or with this group (AMEN) or some other group? If he did not go with AMEN, it's likely they will not have seen him, he can be anywhere. If he did go with AMEN, there are folks I can maybe ask before I talk with Chris as well. Regardless of what I find out though, I will bring it up with Chris.
ReplyDeleteChris... never, ever feel you are not doing enough... you have done more to help than you realize... we are sitting here in the comfort of our living rooms in awe of you and the team of angels who are treating these poor folks with anything that may give them a little comfort and take their minds off the misery that faces them... even a minute of your time has been a minute of heaven for them.
ReplyDeleteStay safe..
xxxo
bat
... and don't pay any attention to those gorgeous French military men