Haiti is in trouble. The extent of damage in Port au Prince was much greater than I had imagined...it truly looks like every building is rubble or irretrievably damaged for many square miles.
Health care needs are now transitioning to follow up wound care and supportive care from the initial injuries. Last week, though, I saw a 70 year old woman who had suffered for over 3 weeks with an undiagnosed broken pelvis. She had not received any medical care or pain relief.
Nutrition is very poor; many foods are not readily available and what is available is very expensive. limited foodstuffs bodes poorly for nutrition and recovery from injuries. Wound healing is slow and infectious complications unfortunately common because of lack of clean water, limited suppliies and nutritional deficiencies.
Shelter is also problematic. Many of our Haitian brothers and sisters still live outside their homes, many in make-shift tents and some in tents provided by relief groups.
Short term solutions are continuing to be implemented. Long term solutions are an absolute necessity. Please pray that leaders of the world and those of us with affluence can cooperate and collaberate on providing the food, shelter, water, and medical needs of our Haitian brothers and sisters. Please also pray that job creation, educational programs, and infrastructure support to provide basic needs like clean water and waste management are prioritized to help our Haitian friends become self-reliant and independent.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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