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AS OF 21:00 Hrs (9 p.m.), October 27, 2010. The number of suspected cases of cholera is continuing to increase in parts of the Plateau Central, Artibonite and Western Departments in Haiti. According to various reports about 3000 people are/have been treated and close to 300 have died.
The AME-SADA zone of intervention is within the Western Department, borders on the Artibonite region (original focus of the outbreak) and is seeing an increasing numbers of cases. So far, all of the patients are being treated at the AME-SADA Pont Matheux facility (located on the main highway 40 miles north of Port-au-Prince, before Montruis and St. Marc). AME-SADA now has a total of 219 cases under treatment. Six patients have died, including one who died at the gate of the facility while being brought by a relative on a motorcycle. The patients come from the following Communal Sections: 3eme Des Vases (Barbancourt, Corail, Cortade, Digue Matheux, Ganyen, Hostin, Labarre, Lapointe, Petit Bois, Ponce, Bois Neuf, Roberjo, Saintard, Pont Saintard and Williamson), 6eme Matheux/Leger (Couilleau and Capoule) and 7eme Fond Baptiste (Doco, Garien, K Pie I and Movilier).
“Our Staff is Being Taxed Severely”
We have received some supplies from USAID, MSH and MSPP Port-au-Prince and have procured some items locally, but we NEED MORE (see list below). Also, we have received a visit from representatives of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) who have taken samples from four (4) of the patients for further laboratory tests. The AME-SADA Haiti Country Director is finalizing discussions with the French and German Red Cross organizations for some additional assistance through their local representatives. AME-SADA is also very grateful for the generous donation received from Bishop Sarah F. Davis and Supervisor Claytie Davis, Jr. which will allow us to bring in some badly needed temporary medical staff for the next 30 days.
The Pont Matheux facility has a total of 5 beds and we now have over 219 patients under various levels of treatment. They are being placed on chairs, benches and floors. The conditions for patients and staff are not adequate, but they are being provided the best treatment available. Our staff is being taxed severely. The other AME-SADA health centers in the region are as follows: Bellanger, Leger, Fond Baptiste, Delice I, Source Matelas and Delice II. They are out-patient facilities only. Three of them have space which may be transformed into additional treatment centers if adequate staffing, supplies and equipment become available.
Cholera Prevention Education Not Enough
The AME-SADA Health Agents (92) and Traditional Birth Attendants (381) have been mobilized in the area to work with the local population on cholera prevention education. These community workers are also in need of water purification tablets to distribute during their sessions while this outbreak lasts. It is not possible to realistically expect the local population not to use their only source of water, even if it may be contaminated. The cost of boiling the water or buying drinking water is prohibitive for most families in the area.
For additional information please contact the following persons:
In Washington DC: Robert Nicolas, Executive Director, rnicolas@ame-sada.org or Dr. Ketty Philogene, Health Program Officer, kphilogene@ame-sada.org at the following telephone numbers: (202) 371-8722; FAX (202) 371-0981
Mailing Address: AME-SADA, 1134 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; Website: www.ame-sada.org
AME-SADA Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Ms. Madeline Pierre Dupiton, Country Representative, madelinepierre@yahoo.fr Telephone Number: 011 509 2 942-1303 or 011 509 3 454-1410; or Dr. Marie Yolaine Remy, yolaineremy@hotmail.com and sadahaiti@hotmail.com: Telephone Number: 011 509 3 467-1075
Office Address: #5 DELMAS 81, ROUTE DE DELMAS, Port-au-Prince, HAITI, WI
ALL FUNDS (Make checks out to: AME-SADA – Haiti Relief in the memo); In-Kind Donations may be mailed to the Washington address above or may be made online: WWW.AME-SADA.ORG
Note-1: All Medication Must Have A Minimum of A 6-Months Expiration Date;
Note-2: A 30-day period is the estimated mobilization period anticipated. The conditions on the ground may force a change in that time frame.
Note–3: As of this writing, most of the supplies below are available in Port-au-Prince for procurement, but this situation may change
Supplies and Equipment: We are currently treating 219 patients and anticipate that the numbers will continue to increase for the next three days
1. Tents 4 Large
2. Medical Supplies:
a) antibiotics (adult and pediatric doses):
1) flagyl
2) tetracycline
3) cipro
4) doxicycline
5) erythromycin
b) Cholera kits (not available on the market in Haiti)
c) cots with sheets and mosquito nets
d) Comfort kits
e) Water purification tablets
f) Cleansers and disinfectants
g) Oral rehydration packets (not available in large quantities on the local market in Haiti)
h) IV kits
i) IV fluids (adult and pediatric- sodium chloride/dextrose)
j) Gloves, masks, disposable protective clothing for medical staff and patients
k) 500 bed pans and wash basins
Related posts:
- Bring Your Donations for Haiti
- Metropolitan AME Hosts Fundraiser to Benefit Haitian People
- View ABC 7 News Coverage of Haiti Relief Event
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Haiti: Bishop Sarah Davis’ Restoration and Rebuilding Report to Council of Bishops and African Methodist Episcopal Church, January 12, 2011: – One Year Later
Haiti 7.0 lest we forget!
Sixteenth Episcopal District of The African Methodist Episcopal Church
St. Paul AMEC – Jan. 12, 2010 St. Paul AMEC –January 12, 2011
January 12th marks the one year anniversary of the most devastating natural disaster that the country of Haiti has seen in 200 years. The quake killed over 250,000 people, leaving a large portion of Haiti in ruins. The historic St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Port-au-Prince was totally destroyed. Today, only a stick and wire fence, surrounding the land on which the church use to stand, remain to remind one of the church that was before January 12, 2010.
Four of the nine AME Churches in Haiti were totally destroyed and the estimated rebuilding of these four basic structures is $ 1.497 million U.S. dollars. Three of the damaged churches can be repaired and renovated. Repair and renovation costs are yet determined.
More than a million displaced people still live under tents and tarpaulins. Reconstruction has barely begun. An outbreak of cholera in October and the political unrest over a disputed presidential election in November have added insult to injury in Haiti. Initially we were helping to sustain 398 homeless and/or displaced AME Church families. That number has grown to 521 + families as persons have joined our churches since the earthquake. Since February, the families have been the recipients of funds made possible from the donations received in the 16th Episcopal District. The funds have been used for purchasing food, water, and all the other necessities of the families.
While the initial focus (February thru June) was temporary shelter, food, water and medical needs. During this time (June-July), we also had to turn our attention to education and the upcoming school year which was only four months away. Funding was needed for children, youth and young adults who could return to school/universities in October, 2010. Most (not all) schools in Haiti opened Friday, October 1, 2010.
One of the teams formed out of the AMEs for a “New Haiti” delegation which came to Haiti for a 3 day summit (August 30-September 1st) was the Education Team led by Reverend Jonathan Weaver (2). Our focus on Education afforded us the good success of being able to provide the back pay due teachers of four of our schools: Rosetta Lee AME SCHOOL, Mariani School Institution Mixte and Christ Revient AME School. Additionally, the monies due in arrears which would have kept students from being able to enroll, were provided for many of our children. The Presiding Elders Mehu and Maurice are completing forms for each child who needs assistance in getting into school and/or in getting uniform and supplies for school.
After a year of almost unfathomable hardship in Haiti and while some would think there is little reason to be hopeful now, the 12 Haiti Annual Conference Churches have slapped “can’t do” and “give up” in their faces and are determined to move forward. At this year’s Annual Conference, February 3 – 7, 2011, at Mary Beckett AMEC, Croix-des-Bouquets, we are planning a 12 Noon Worship of Thanksgiving, Friday, February 4th at Noon. The Reverend Samuel Jenkins (4 EPD) will be visiting us and has been asked to bring the Word for this Service of Thanksgiving.
This year’s Conference will be different! We look forward with excitement to hear how our churches (without buildings and in renovated quarters) have in fact grown in membership since the Earthquake and how the people have grown spiritually over this last year as they have continued to pray, trust God and worship Him in spite of their circumstance. During the Women’s Missionary Society Convention, Dr. Carol T. Mitchell, President of New Era Baptist State Convention of Nebraska, Inc., will bring the key note message.
Despite the gloomy backdrops all around us in Haiti, we are finding some equilibrium as we innovatively explore ways and means to rebuild, renovate, repair and readjust our focus.
Our deeds to the St. Paul property have been properly filed with the Haitian Government and we wait in hopeful expectation that we might be reimbursed for our property which was part of the Government’s massive expropriation. We continue to lobby for the historic St. Paul AME Church, Port-au-Prince, to be allowed to be rebuilt in Port-au-Prince.
Temporary renovations for safety reasons have been made at the (a) Hildebrand Clinic/Education building of St. Paul AMEC; (b) Christ Revient AMEC and (c) Loula Brokenton AMEC. Worship and work are continuing to go on at these sites. While we will hear the official reports of church growth during the Annual Conference (February 3-6, 2011) our Pastors have been reporting of increased memberships at all our churches since the earthquake.
Our Schools at Rosetta Lee AMEC and Loula Brokenton AMEC and Christ Revient AMEC are opened again despite declined enrollment and all back pay for all the staff has been provided.
Students have received scholarships for tuitions and our university scholars who have applied for scholarships to enroll in the university have received their scholarships. Additional scholarships will be given during the Annual Conference.
As we Move Forward
The work before us is massive and much depends on our ability to do many things at the same time. Yet, we cannot lose focus of the overall work in each of the areas identified by the Strategic Planning Team in August. Thus, we are moving with the following priorities and focus:
■Health (with emphasis on supporting and strengthening AME SADA)
■Education
■Spiritual/Mental Care
■Agriculture
■Housing and Development
■Disaster Preparedness/Risk Reduction
■Social Action
Additionally, we are talking with Habitat for Humanity as we consider the housing needs of our families and the communities in general.
We are currently working with a group of Haitian Americans, Americans (so far 8 of the 9 black denominations and Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention), and Haitians in planning for a Summit on Advocacy for Haiti that is scheduled for March 10-12, 2011, in Washington, D.C. We are seeking to craft a coherent and clear advocacy agenda to advance with the United States Government and the international community.
The Steering Committee formed early in 2010 is still in place and continues to oversee the work and activities which are going on for the Haiti Conference.
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