Bethel in Haiti – Jehovah’s Witnesses Relief supplies updates
This is a recent e-mail sent to us. Most of you know I am not very prolific e-mailer, how ever the events of the last 6 days related to the earthquake in Haiti have encompassed our lives and Lea and I want to share some eye witness experiences. Last Wednesday, a day after the earthquake there was communication between the Governing body in Brooklyn, NY and our branch in Haiti to take care of preliminary relief needs to our brothers.
That same day the buying department went into top gear buying staples such as rice, beans, milk as well as tinned fruits and spaghetti. The kitchen here raided the larder and produced 3 pallets of food provisions. Later that afternoon, the bethel doctor drove down to the boarder to go across and help at the Haitian bethel. The next day (Thursday) at 2.45 in the morning a team of four drivers in a truck and a van embarked on the 7 hrs (201 miles) drive to the Haiti branch with 7 tons of provisions. Bethel in Haiti is 20 mins out of the city and we found the area around bethel to be relatively unaffected by the quake, business as usual, but with many more people on the street, people coming out of the city with the few things they had left, and others going in to look for family and friends – communication is a huge problem at the moment. At bethel we found the family busy taking care of injured brothers who had turned up at the next door assembly hall. They were also going out to the affected areas to check on the brothers and asses immediate needs vehicles. Immediately the rice that we had brought was split into smaller portions to be sent out with the bros going out to the affected areas. We were told that many kingdom halls are being used as refuges were our brother can get shelter and food. Later that day a group of 4 doctors from DR travelled down to work in the assembly hall caring for the sick.
On Saturday a team of 7 returned in two trucks and a van with another 15 tons of provisions which included medical supplies for the docs working at the assembly hall.
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- Jehovah’s Witnesses Haiti Relief 5
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- Jehovah’s Witnesses Haiti Relief Room
Today is Saturday; we have been informed that of the approximately 10,000 bros that live in Puerto Prince, 104 have lost their lives.
This week we plan to keep supplying our bros with what they need as well as revive more help that is coming from outside. Co- incidentally this week has been our zone visit in the DR and today 75,185 were in attendance in 5 locations linked by a satellite connection, at a special talk by Bro Monahan.
Hope your all well, thinking as always of the Fam, also Juanfra & Loren in your new assignment.
Shane & Lea
January 19th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Hello Brothers, since the Earthquake in Haiti I have been on the internet looking and reading on you friend my mother and mine prayers are with you brother anr we ask Jehovah’hand to be there helping all my brothers there in Haiti, yesterday we watched the news in Haiti people are going into stores or bulidings to get things what they need and guns are going off. We are sadden to see that but as Witnesses Jehovah is always watching over his children, we will pray and do our up most in helping you brothers. Your loving brother in California Raymond Obiacoro
January 19th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Is there a need for brothers and sisters (with no medical or engineering degrees) to come there to give a helping hand with just anything? ie; cleaning, carrying, driving, ministry, cooking? What kinds of things would be good to bring in support of the relief efforts? ie; clothing, blankets, medical items – pain relievers, antiseptic?
I’m assuming there would be things to do and how would we go about arranging this?
We can book flights, and pack needed things but would need some direction beyond that.
January 19th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
we in ireland very moved by the plight of our brothers and sisters in haiti-not to forget the suffering of neighbours also so we thank you for the updates.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:55 am
je suis une soeur de france et en apprenant les difficultés qu’endure mais frères et soeurs de haiti j’en ai étais profondément touché. je pense trés fort a vous,vous avez une place trés importante dan mes prières.
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:36 am
Just an FYI for anyone consdiering going to Haiti. Here’s a couple US Government websites and other info I dug up you need to read. I have been a Paramedic for over 30 years and started doing some research for others that have been talking about going.
http://www.hhs.gov/haiti/ A good general source of information.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/relief-workers.aspx Health info for relief workers. Supplies included.
Tropical Rescue Worker’s Personal Care Checklist
First responders are working frantically to rescue and treat those affected by the earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday. To help them stay safe and healthy during these efforts, JEMS asked editorial board members toxicologist Robin B. McFee, DO, MPH, FACPM, FAACT and infection control expert Katherine H. West, BMS, MED, CIC for a personal-care checklist for responders who might have long assignments in unsanitary conditions in tropical locations, such as Haiti.
McFee warns that Haiti is home to a many of endemic illnesses, including malaria, HIV, dengue, hepatitis, tuberculosis and brucellosis. She reminds rescuers to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and to not bathe in still water, such as streams or ponds, or sleep directly on the ground.
She also suggests shaking off bed linens before getting in them, keeping clean clothes in sealed bags, pre-treating clothes with insect repellant and covering the skin. And although it might be obvious, rescuers can act as each others’ safety officers, checking for ticks, insects and the effects of the environment and carnage on fellow rescuers.
Also make sure to have the ability to contact an expert in the type of medicine or medical issues for which you will be deployed, for example tropical medicine expertise or toxicologists. Also consider reading the Centers for Disease Control Yellow Book, which details infectious diseases by region and preventive measures.
West says to remember that if you’re dispatched to the location with a team, you’ll more than likely be given everything you can take with you. However, while the list below is not exclusive, the items might help you stay safe and healthy so you can continue to help others.
Things You’ll Need
Bug repellent
Boots
Matches
Mosquito netting: Use when sleeping
Old newspaper
PPE
Powder: Use in really hot conditions to absorb sweat.
Soap: Bar soap is fine. But with a water shortage, bath wipes are also desirable.
Vaccinations/Immunizations: Make sure these are up-to-date before you leave.
Vinegar: This is a good disinfectant.
Water: Drink lots of it. Hydration is critical, especially in tropicalenvironments.
Things to Consider
Food/water precautions: Boil water. Boil and cook food. Do not eat anything that’s raw and rinsed.
Water will be at a premium for drinking and bathing, but frequent handwashing, showers (when possible) and clean towels, along with appropriate prophylaxis and using foodborne and respiratory precautions, should reduce the risk.
Thoroughly rinse off boots when arriving at sleep zone to avoid cross-contaminating the clean zone.
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From other comments:
For prior service workers, they should understand how this goes.
Wett-Ones are great when you cannot shower.
MRE’s can be purchased online for deployments and help with your food issues.
A swiss army knife is also good to have. Also, a paracord bracelet. They have many uses and in this situation, everyone would benefit from one.
Dry socks and foot powder are a key! Nothing like wett, smelly, feet.
Hand Sanatizer of course is a key too. Second to your PPE, washing your hands is the first line of defense. One other thing not on the list is a hip pack to carry all of the things you want with you at all times. You can include personal items too.
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Obrigado a todos os irmãos que estão a ajudar no Haiti que Jeová vos dê força e coragem que nós deste lado do oceano fazemos muitas orações por vós bem haja.
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
To all of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.May Jehovah’s love and peace keep you strong and firm in this time of deep sorrow.We will never loose hope and the promise of our near deliverance from world disaster and suffering..My love to all of you.You are in my prayers and we look forward to the resurrection of those loved ones lost in this disaster.I am forever amazed and grateful for the spirit of Jehovah and Christ’s power to unify his people.