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Situation Report:  Haiti Earthquake 1/28/2010

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February 5, 2010

• On February 3, the Government of Haiti stated that the earthquake death toll had exceeded 200,000 people with 300,000 people treated for injuries; 250,000 homes were destroyed and 30,000 business disrupted.
• Vaccination programs began on 2 February for people in makeshift settlements, focused on children under 7. The Health Cluster is also building a database of medical human resources available in country.
• Response efforts are now being coordinated through a multi-national cluster system.  ANA has reached out to organizations working with the Health Cluster to offer support and nursing staff.

Additional Resources
Health Resources for Haiti, http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/haitiearthquake.html.  A compilation of links to resources for medical teams responding to the Haiti earthquake. The page includes Creole-language materials for non-Creole speakers to use in healthcare settings, as well information on traumatic injuries, mass fatalities, mental health, and the public health consequences of the earthquake damage. This content is always no-cost.

Infectious Diseases of Haiti,  http://www.gideononline.com/blog/wp/wp-content/uploads/The-Infectious-Diseases-of-Haiti-by-GIDEON.pdf. This guide covers the 198 infectious diseases known to occur in Haiti and is based on the resources of the Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network (GIDEON).

Joint Language University, http://jlu.wbtrain.com. This DOD-sponsored website has Haitian Creole language materials that can be downloaded from their home page. You can learn very basic introductory phrases along with targeted medical, police, and military terminology.

MedlinePlus, http://medlineplus.gov, AND Mobile MedlinePlus, http://m.medlineplus.gov. Basic health information for the general public, plus patient information on prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Also in Spanish. This content is always no-cost.

Thank you for your continued interest in assisting with responding to Haiti.

Jan. 29, 2010

The following report was released by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM):
 
“The recent earthquake in Haiti has been an unimaginable disaster for the people of this struggling country. As the search and rescue efforts are drawing to a close, it is time to support the Haitians in their journey of healing and recovery. During the days since the earthquake, the ICM has been in touch with Josée Angela Sam, President of the Haitian Midwives Association, and with Agnes Jacobs, a Belgian midwife who has been working in a rural health clinic in Haiti for more than a decade. Agnes is now a consultant with the ICM/ UNFPA Programme in Port-au-Prince. They have kept the ICM informed of the scope of the tragedy. At this time they are able to report that almost all of the midwives in Port-au-Prince have survived the devastation and that the National Midwifery School at the University of Port-au-Prince remains standing. 
 
Unfortunately, the nearby nursing school was destroyed and dozens of students and faculty died. Among those who did not survive was Dr. Alix Laroche, an Obstetrician, who was teaching a class of students in the nursing school when the building collapsed. Dr. Laroche was also a long-time faculty member at the midwifery school. He was Assistant Director under Ghislaine Francoeur, posthumous recipient of the ICM Marie Goubran award at the ICM Congress in Glasgow (2008). Following her tragic death in a car accident, Dr. Laroche stepped in as interim Director of the school for more than a year. Dr. Laroche was devoted to the development of the midwifery profession in Haiti and was well loved by the midwifery students. We join with the midwives of Haiti in mourning his untimely death.
 
Midwives from around the world are expressing the desire to help in whatever way they can.  At this time the ICM will post on our website those international agencies that are requesting midwives to come to Haiti, as well as those agencies that are supporting maternal and newborn care in the country at this time. Please contact these agencies if you have the time, experience and ability to join the relief efforts in Haiti. Otherwise, please support these agencies with donations. ICM will also be happy to post information on our website about any activities being undertaken by Members as part of the relief effort.”
 

ANA Items:
 

ANA continues to recruit nurses who are interested in being considered for possible deployment to Haiti.  As always, it is important to remember that patience is the watchword for this disaster.  Nurses can access the online form for ANA’s database at www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief.
 

Tafford Uniforms, an ANA member benefits partner,  is offering to make a $1.00 donation for every heart print top and jacket sold through February 3 to the American Nurses Foundation Haiti Relief Fund - http://www.tafford.com/thumb.htm?tl=1&ldid=124&sdid=124&offer=9ANA10&utm_source=ANA&utm_medium=assoc&utm_campaign=ANAHEART
ANA continues to encourage interested donors to consider donating to the American Nurses Foundation which has established a fund that will benefit restoring the nursing infrastructure in Haiti and the Association Nationale des Infirmières Licenciès d'Haiti.  You can donate here
 

The USAID is looking for health care workers that speak either French or Creole.  If you meet this criterion you should send an email to rebuildhaiti@usaid.gov.  In the subject line reference “medical” and then in the body of the email indicate the clinical specialty area, what language is spoken and contact information.  This will connect directly into the US government response efforts.  This email address should NOT be used for expressing a general interest in responding to Haiti.
 

The Department of Health and Human Services has established an email for health care professionals interested in volunteering – Haiti.volunteer@hhs.gov.   Please include your name, clinical area, specialty skills, degrees, and language capabilities.  The notice also states the following: “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.”

Jan. 28, 2010

The Haitian Ministry of Health (Health Cluster in Haiti, Bulletin #9) is reporting the following:

• Reports indicate that almost all people with injuries have received medical attention; however, some still require surgical care.
• Current priorities include post-operative care and rehabilitation of disabled people, primary care at 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.  There are growing caseloads of diarrhea, measles and tetanus.  Additionally, there is a decrease in trauma cases and increase in mental health needs.

ANA Update:

ANA continues to recruit nurses who are interested in being considered for possible deployment to Haiti.  As always, it is important to remember that patience is the watchword for this disaster.  Nurses can access the online form for ANA’s database at www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief.

As reported yesterday, Tafford Uniforms, an ANA member benefits partner,  is offering to make a $1.00 donation for every heart print top and jacket sold through February 3 to the American Nurses Foundation Haiti Relief Fund - http://www.tafford.com/thumb.htm?tl=1&ldid=124&sdid=124&offer=9ANA10&utm_source=ANA&utm_medium=assoc&utm_campaign=ANAHEART

ANA continues to update our page on the Haiti disaster, www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief.  Information links are available to:
• Information on Vaccinations
• Webinar,  What Medical and Public Health Responders Can Expect in Haiti

ANA continues to encourage interested donors to consider donating to the American Nurses Foundation which has established a fund that will benefit restoring the nursing infrastructure in Haiti and the Association Nationale des Infirmières Licenciès d'Haiti.  You can donate here

Other News:

The Department of Health and Human Services has established an email for health care professionals interested in volunteering – Haiti.volunteer@hhs.gov.   Please include your name, clinical area, specialty skills, degrees, and language capabilities.  The notice also states the following: “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.”

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: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/NewsandAnnoucements/earthquakes.htm

Jan. 26, 2010

ANA continues to closely monitor the situation in Haiti.  We have learned from the Department of Homeland Security that there have been some cases of Dengue and Malaria among returning responders from Haiti.  The CDC has provided information on recommended vaccinations and offers guidance to health care workers responding to Haiti.  This information is available at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/relief-workers-haiti.aspx.  A link to this information is also included on ANA’s website.

As noted yesterday, the USAID is looking for health care workers that speak either French or Creole.  If you meet this criterion you should send an email to rebuildhaiti@usaid.gov.  In the subject line reference “medical” and then in the body of the email indicate the clinical specialty area, what language is spoken and contact information.  This will connect directly into the US government response efforts.  This email address should NOT be used for expressing a general interest in responding to Haiti.

In coordination with ANA, Tafford Uniforms is making a contribution to Rotary International of scrub suits for those responding to Haiti.  ANA appreciates this contribution along with a similar contribution that was made to the Florida Nurses Association.

Please continue to visit ANA’s Haiti page – www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief.  ANA updates this page regularly.   Most importantly, this webpage includes a link to the form that nurses should complete if they are interested in being considered for deployment. 

The mantra for Haiti continues to be “we are in it for the long haul.”  Information from a recent conference of donor countries for Haiti suggest that the rebuilding of Haiti could take as long as 10 years.  The health infrastructure is a priority.  This is a lesson we are still learning from Hurricane Katrina.

Thank you for continued focus on this disaster.  ANA is partnering with organizations that have individuals on the ground in Haiti who can guide us in providing the type of resources that are needed to help the Haitian people.

Jan. 25, 2010

ANA participated on a USAID update conference call.  The USAID is looking for health care workers that speak either French or Creole.  If registered nurses meet this criteria they should send an email to rebuildhaiti@usaid.gov.  In the subject line reference “medical” and then in the body of the email indicate the clinical specialty area, what language is spoken, and contact information.  This email should NOT be used for expressing a general interest in responding to Haiti.  Please continue to direct nurses who do not speak the languages requested to ANA’s website, www.nursingworld.org/haiti, to complete the requisite form and be entered into ANA’s database.  ANA will be sending an email to all nurses who have already joined ANA’s response database letting them know this information.

Thank you for your continued dedication to this response effort.

Jan. 22, 2010

ANA participated on an update conference call today sponsored by the White House.  There is not much new information.  However, there continue to be reports of many aftershocks – including a very strong aftershock this morning.  Haiti continues to be very unstable and fragile.
 

Yesterday’s situation report referenced the work that the Florida Nurses Association is doing in conjunction with the Haitian Nurses Association of Florida.  If you are interested in supporting that effort, contact HANA via email at info@hana84.org.
 

ANA has established an online form available at www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief  that should be completed by individuals interested in responding.  This is the preferable means of communicating rather than sending an email to ANA and ANA staff. 
 

The U.S. government has several websites that may be of interest:
http://www.usaid.gov/haiti/  - U.S. Agency for International Development
http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/ - The funding raising effort by former President Clinton and President Bush.  The U.S. government is asking individuals to make monetary donations through this site to support the long term rebuilding effort of Haiti.
 

ANA continues to encourage interested donors to consider donating to the American Nurses Foundation which has established a fund that will benefit restoring the nursing infrastructure in Haiti and the Association Nationale des Infirmières Licenciès d'Haiti.  You can donate here 

Please note that all of the ANA developed situation reports for this disaster are located on Nursingworld.org in the Members Only Section.
 

On behalf of ANA, thank you for your ongoing efforts in support of this disaster response.  

Jan. 21, 2010

ANA participated in a update conference call sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).   What we know:

• There are still a significant number of aftershocks occurring in the area.  Some reaching a 5.6 magnitude.
• There continue to be live rescues of trapped individuals.  Over 100 people have been rescued thus far.
• There are 38 operating hospitals with 4 major field hospitals due to be functioning within 24 hours.
• The US government has dedicated $171 M to the response effort.
• The USNS Comfort arrived in Haiti yesterday.  The Comfort has a 1,000 bed capacity and is already receiving patients by helicopter.  As noted in a previous situation reports, at this point in time the Comfort is being staffed by the Navy.
• 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 developed a new donation website with greater functionality at www.usaid.gov.  This website allows you to search through the needs of various organizations and register your offer of assistance.

News from ICN (as reported by Agnes Jacob in Haiti):

• The National Nurse School University and Faculty of Medicine collapsed.  Nurse students were taking an OB course at the time.  The National Nurse Midwife School (ENISF) is still standing.
• The University Hospital Maternity has virtually no staff.  Their house have collapsed, they do not have work clothes, transport, electricity or water.  Many public institutions including the Ministry of Health, major hospitals and clinics are destroyed.

In light of the this information, ANA continues to encourage interested donors to consider donating to the American Nurses Foundation which has established a fund that will benefit restoring the nursing infrastructure in Haiti and the Association Nationale des Infirmières Licenciès d'Haiti.  You can donate here

ANA information:

PLEASE remember we are in this for the long haul.  ANA knows that the interest to go is very immediate.  However, it is important to remember that when this disaster is off the front page, a great need will still exist in Haiti. 

ANA continues to seek out opportunities for nurses to deploy to Haiti within an established, organized response structure.  We need all specialty nursing areas of practice.  Nurses who are interested should go to www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief and use the link to send an email to ANA.  It is absolutely critical that nurses include their specialty area of practice.  Valid US Passport is a must for those interested in deploying.  ANA is working in collaboration with the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons who are establishing teams that were in need of orthopeadic nurses and nurse anesthetists.

Kudos to the Florida Nurses Association who are working in partnership with the Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida.   The Haitian American Nurses Association will partner with Project Medishare from University of Miami in its deployment efforts.

The webinar,  What Medical and Public Health Responders Can Expect in Haiti, sponsored by ANA, the American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, CDC and the National Disaster Life Support Foundation is available from ANA’s webpage, www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief. 

ANA has also received a request from Partners in Health, http://www.standwithhaiti.org/haiti, for surgical and OR nurses.  ANA understands that Partners in Health has been working in Haiti for many years and is well established within the response community and able to provide medical care to those injured in the earthquake.

Jan. 19, 2010

IMC Call for Volunteers: On Monday Jan. 19, ANA and ONA sent a notice on a possible deployment opportunity in conjunction with the International Medical Corp.  IMC specifically requested assistance in recruiting OR and surgical nurses who could help staff a hospital on the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  ANA has received well over 100 responses to this request and names have been sent to the IMC for their consideration.   ANA appreciates your help in getting the word out to nurses and the terrific response.
 

What Medical and Public Health Responders Can Expect in Haiti Webinar: The webinar sponsored by ANA, the American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, CDC and the National Disaster Life Support Foundation was held on Saturday, January 16.  Over 250 individuals participated on the webinar, What Medical and Public Health Responders Can Expect in Haiti.  A link to the webinar is available from ANA’s webpage, www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief.  The plan is to continue to update this webinar as the situation changes in Haiti.  More information to come.

Clearinghouse for Nurse Responders: ANA has also created a mechanism on the webpage to facilitate recruitment of nurses interested in responding.  We will continue to serve as a clearinghouse for requests for nurse responders.  ANA continues to work in conjunction with established disaster response organizations and the federal government to make sure that nurse responders are available based on the situational needs in Haiti.  We strongly advocate against spontaneous deployment without coordination within the established response structure.

Deployed Nurses Can Tell Their Story: ANA also plans to establish a web-based mechanism for nurses who are deployed to “tell their story.”  If you know of members who are deployed, please encourage them to come to the website so we can capture their experience in writing.  Additional information will be forthcoming once this is up and running.

ANF's Haiti Disaster Relief Fund: As individuals express an interest to help, please encourage them consider donating to the American Nurses Foundation which has established a fund that will benefit restoring the nursing infrastructure in Haiti through assisting the International Council of Nurses member Association Nationale des Infirmières Licenciès d'Haiti.  You can donate here.

Request for Surgical and OR Nurses from Partners in Health: ANA has also received a request from Partners in Health, http://www.standwithhaiti.org/haiti, for surgical and OR nurses.  ANA understands that Partners in Health has been working in Haiti for many years and is well established within the response community and able to provide medical care to those injured in the earthquake.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact with Cheryl Peterson, Cheryl.peterson@ana.org or Katie Brewer, Katie.brewer@ana.org.

Specific NFN Update

President Barbara Crane, RN, of the National Federation of Nurses, a leading national labor union representing more than 70,000 nurses nationwide, has issued a call to all nurses in America to make an immediate donation in support of Haitian disaster relief.

“Nurses across the country are trying to determine what they can do to help. Following the requests of the nation’s leading relief organizations, the first step is for every nurse in America to make a financial donation, no matter how large or small, so that crucial supplies can be delivered to Haitians who are in desperate need,” Crane said.

President Obama said during a White House press conference this morning: “Even as we bring our resources to bear on this emergency, we need to summon the tremendous generosity and compassion of the American people.

“It is a natural response for nurses to want to reach out and help those in need. But we have to remember that, in the face of a massive disaster like this, the individuals who can provide the most effective aid on the ground are those with specific, unique training,” Crane said. “For the rest of us, making a donation to a recognized international aid organization will be the quickest and most effective way to help those who are suffering the most.”

Nurses who are interested in gaining the training necessary to be an international disaster relief provider can visit the American Nurses Association’s website at www.nursingworld.org and click on the “Disaster Response in Haiti” page to learn about training opportunities.

“In the face of something like this earthquake, most nurses want to help and believe donating their time is the most useful. For nurses who want to be on the front lines, delivering care during these disasters, the National Federation of Nurses encourages you to register with your state Emergency Response Registry, and to get the training and knowledge you need to be most effective,” Crane said. “For now, though, the people of Haiti need your financial donations.”

Other relief organizations the National Federation of Nurses recommends donating to include the Red Cross and Mercy Corps.