NYS Nurses Association
Haitian earthquake disaster
Response Update | Donations | Support and Assistance | Perspectives
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) conveys its deep sympathies to those who have been affected by and have suffered incomprehensible losses due to the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
The most effective means of support continues to be monetary donations. NYSNA offers the following information and resources for consideration, as the people of Haiti move forward towards recovery from this overwhelming tragedy. (Special thanks: American Nurses Association)
- In her own words: Sister Mary Finnick
- Nat'l Federation of Nurses Calls Upon RNs to Donate
- Registered Nurse Deployment Opportunities for Haiti
- Today Show: “Doctors struggle to save lives in Haiti” - Dr. Nancy Snyderman's report features Sister Mary Finnick's Matthew 25 House assisting victims.
Response Update: 30 January
The American Nurses Association (ANA) continues to monitor the situation in Haiti. The Department of Homeland Security reports some cases of dengue and malaria among returning responders from Haiti. The CDC has information on recommended vaccinations for healthcare workers responding to Haiti.
The Haitian Ministry of Health is reporting:
- Almost all people with injuries have received medical attention; however, some still require surgical care.
- Current priorities include post-operative care and rehabilitation of the disabled, primary care of internally displaced persons sites, and provision of medical services outside of Port-au-Prince.
- The Haitian Government, in cooperation with PAHO/WHO and UNICEF, will start vaccinating against measles, tetanus and diphtheria in selected settlement camps next week.
- Medical teams have reported in a shift in the types of cases that they are receiving, with growing caseloads of diarrhea, measles and tetanus. There is a decrease in trauma cases and increase in mental health needs.
Other News
Reports from Haiti continue to suggest that getting materials and other resources into the country is extremely difficult. The Haiti airport, which is working at double its capacity, is booked for at least two weeks out. Response efforts are focused on food, water, shelter and medical care. With the rainy season approaching, shelter will be a growing concern. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports response efforts are shifting from emergency surgical care to primary health care and hygiene promotion.
The Department of Health and Human Services has established an e-mail for healthcare professionals interested in volunteering. Please include your name, clinical area, specialty skills, degrees, and language capabilities. The notice also states: “Please keep in mind that volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are rare, and it may not be possible to accept your offer for assistance at this time.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just developed specific TB guidance for facilities receiving TB patients from Haiti and also for relief workers. This guidance is now available on the following CDC website.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is focused on delivering basic commodities such as water treatment units, water containers, hygiene kits, plastic sheeting for shelter needs, and U.N. WHO medical kits. USAID has also developed a new donation website with greater functionality that allows you to search through the needs of various organizations and register your offer of assistance.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has activated the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) to respond on the ground. While spontaneous deployment is discouraged because of continued instability in the region and security concerns, requests for individuals to assist through deployments are now available.
It is important to remember:
- Monetary donations are most urgently needed at this point. The Center for International Disaster Information (see link below) offers information on donations to legitimate organizations already established in Haiti.
- Do not self-deploy. The infrastructure in Haiti is extremely fragile, and that which is functioning is presently overloaded. Safety and security are issues as well. With limited ability to support responders on the ground, inexperienced or under supported volunteers create additional problems.
The federal government encourages those who wish to offer individual support to register through the Center for International Disaster Information website. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is using this site to coordinate efforts, and offers will be reviewed and logged to match with specific requests as they occur.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) program offers informationfor healthcare professionals considering deployment support.
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Donations
Matthew 25 House
A Haitian charity headed by former NYSNA board member Sister Mary Finnick, Matthew 25 House is providing treatment for many injured outside of the major metropolitan areas. Donations (payable to Matthew 25 House) can be mailed to:
A reminder: nurses should sign “RN” after their names to let the charity know that nurses support the relief efforts.Theresa Patterson
Parish Twinning Program of the Americas
309 Windemere Woods Drive
Nashville, TN 37215
American Red Cross
People can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 1.800.REDCROSS (800.733.2767). Cell phone users can text “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will support American Red Cross relief efforts.
Clinton/Bush Haiti Fund
At the request of President Barack Obama, former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are partnering to help the Haitian people reclaim their country and rebuild their lives. The best way concerned citizens can help is to donate funds that will directly supply material needs.
Haitian Nursing Foundation
The Haitian Nursing Foundation is currently accepting donations for the school of nursing in Léogane. The school is currently the only healthcare provider in the Léogane area. The school has two nurses (the dean and an ER nurse from the US) and seven students. Donations (made payable to the Haiti Nursing Foundation) can be sent to:
- P.O. Box 3008
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
Donations can also be made online.
ANF Donations
The American Nurses Foundation (ANF) has established a process for contributions to support efforts to rebuild the Haitian nursing infrastructure. Additional information and contributions are available online.
REMINDER: Fraud Alert
The FBI reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and due diligence before responding. Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines:
- Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) e-mails, or clicking links contained within those messages. Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials seeking donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
- Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that assist in confirming the group’s existence and its nonprofit status, rather than following a purported link to the site. Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because those files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
- Make contributions directly to organizations rather than relying on others to make donations on your behalf.
- Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
Anyone who has received an e-mail referencing the above information or anyone who may have been a victim of this or a similar incident should notify the IC3. For further information, please visit the FBI's website.
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Support/assistance
ANA Haiti Disaster Page
ANA has established a web page dedicated to the disaster
ANA Nursespace
A community on ANA’s Nursespace designed to promote dialogue among interested nurses about the disaster.
ServNY
Additionally, for registered nurses who have an interest with the relief and recovery efforts within and outside New York, NYSNA encourages all RNs to pre-register with ServNY. ServNY ensures that volunteers will have access to training and will be utilized according to appropriate response plans.
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Perspectives
- Former NYSNA board member Sister Mary Finnick’s remarks on the current crisis, featured on the St. Louis Post-Disptach website.
- Former NYSNA staff member Jessie M. Colin, PhD, RN, currently a Professor and Director of Nursing PhD, Nursing Administration and Nursing Education programs at Barry University, Division of Nursing in Florida, provided information on the nursing school in Léogane.
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For questions or more information, contact NYSNA at 518.782.9400 or by e-mail.