What About Haiti? Things you should know about how you can help.

Since our focus is short-term missions, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about the possibility of mission trips to Haiti, and the question has been on our mind as well. In fact, Global Outreach Development was birthed out of numerous trips to Haiti, so responding in a tangible way is important to us on many levels. When the earthquake struck, we didn’t have any active connections with missionaries on the ground there. Since then, we’ve sought to make some connections with the intention of bringing aid groups. The most emphasized issue raised by our recent contacts is that for the next few weeks/months, Haiti will need many trained medical personnel, but non-medical teams will not be needed for another few months. 

Here are some important things to think about:

• The devastation in Haiti created a massive strain on limited resources
• Even with supplies being delivered, the damaged infrastructure (from administration, to roadways) has made it difficult to properly distribute those goods.
• The vast majority of the "hands" that are needed at this point should be medically trained ones.
• The usual risks of international travel are elevated when heading to a natural disaster site
• The need in Haiti will be ongoing (most often I am hearing the word “decade” used), so think carefully about the best way that you can help both now, and in the future.

If you are a medical person or have networks with medical personnel you may consider assembling a team.  Here is what you’ll need:

Medical Teams  (ideal composition)

• 1 ER doctor or family doctor
• 1 Internal medical doctor / pediatrician
• 1 PT or PT/OT
• 3-4 RN nurses (wound care specialists)
• 1 medic
• 2-3 support people ( at least 1 pastor or spiritual leader)
• your whole group should be between 10-12 people

Additional Considerations

• Your team needs to be self sufficient, including pillows, air mattresses. (Think ‘camping’ but without pots and pans.)
• Simply Missions will coordinate with the Earthquake Crisis Center in order to do the logistics for you
• The Earthquake Crisis Center will provide ‘housing’ and food/drinks
• A stay of about 1 week or longer is encouraged
• Be willing to be stationed at a clinic site
• Keep in mind that there is the possibility of infectious diseases
• Funds will be needed for renting (mini) buses to transport teams locally
• Have immunizations updated
• Bring antibiotics for personal use for GI issues (bactrim, cipro, flagyl)
• Make sure you take your malaria medication before arrival

Contact us if you or someone you would like to assemble a team of medical personnel. We hope to be able to send non-medical relief teams as soon as we know that those teams will not be consuming the limited resources necessary for the survival of the Haitian people.

In the mean time, pray for Haiti.