Haitian Consortium - Consortium for Haitian Empowerment

STATEMENT ABOUT THE RELIEF EFFORT IN HAITI

New York, 01/19/10

C.H.E's Contact informationHarry Fouche

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(630) 631-1875

The Consortium for Haitian Empowerment, a NewYork based coalition of community organizations, is deeply affected by the tragedy that befell Haiti.

We express our gratitude to the International Community for their prompt response to this humanitarian crisis. Haiti’s needs are enormous, as such we would like to bring awareness of resources outside of the affected area that can be explored and utilized inthis relief effort.

1. A number of hospitals in unaffected part of the country in Northern, Southern, and Central Haiti are available and could received injured victims (for eg, in Cap Haitien, Milot, Fort Liberte, Pignon, Hinche, Limbe, Lascahobas, Grand Riviere, Cayes, and Jeremie). The supplies and equipments being brought to the country could be dispatched to these hospitals to facilitate trauma treatment.
2. 
   Airports and seaports outside of the Port au Prince area are also available. Cap-Haitien’s airport is an international airport, and it should be brought on-line to receive relief flights. Deficiencies such as fuel tank and communication gears can be corrected by dispatching needed equipments to facilitate incoming and outgoing flights.
3. 
   Soft drink bottling companies that can produce a quick supply of drinking water, in a short period of time are available in Northern and Southern Haiti;
4. 
   The International Community should consider sourcing of foodstuffs from relatively unaffected areas;
5. 
   There are many hotels standing outside of the impacted area;
6. 
   Empty spaces to set up tents for evacuees available outside quake stricken area;
7. 
   Make use of human resources available in Haiti’s provinces and its Diaspora.
8. 
   Survivors should be offered the opportunity to assist in food distribution and other rescue intervention where warranted

We encourage the Media to expand their coverage of this crisis beyond Port-au-Prince metro area. Towns such as Jacmel, Leogane, Petit Goave, Grand Goave, Carrefour have been flatten with untold numbers of victims. A similar situation is found in many small agglomerations in between.

We recognize that since this tragedy, occurred, a startling display of worldwide support for Haiti has risen, and we hope that through this new coalition of nations, a visible and lasting partnership can emerge in the rebuilding of the country.