February 5, 2010

Manno and I finally connected yesterday morning. It can be difficult to get calls through so it takes a little persistence and patience. Manno shared several things that are going on in Cap Haitian and answered several questions that I passed along from others. Here's a summary:

*He does not feel the need for additional medical teams to try and come at this time. While there are many people in the hospital in Cap and Milot, there are also many doctors and nurses there treating them. There is not a need at Pillatre at this time, and he was unsure how to coordinate medical people getting linked with other organizations that have people in the country right now.

*He had an opportunity to speak with a gentleman from Operation Mobilization who was needing assistance coordinating their efforts. He was able to help OM make the necessary connections so that they can accomplish their goals.

*He shared that a big problem right now is the terrible fear that the people have. They are afraid of more earthquakes and of a tsunami.

*He said that many refugees from Port are staying with other people that they may have known previously from the north. Obviously, it is difficult to feed these people, especially with the drastic increase in prices.

*Manno shared that he is working on purchasing medication for the clinic pharmacy so that it will be well stocked on a continuous basis.

*HCM dispersed an initial sum of $5,000 for Manno to use at his discretion to purchase food/water and help those in need. He has not used all of this to date but said he has many people coming to him and asking for assistance. He has given money to several pastors in the area to help with people in their congregations.

*HCM is in process with an initial shipment of food. This will be coming directly from Miami in a 40' container that we are purchasing. This will allow Manno to have a place to store the food as they distribute it. It will be 1/3 rice, 1/3 beans and 1/3 cooking oil. This load will ship out this coming week.

*We are also working on a second load that will ship from Bloomington, Illinois to Miami and then on to Haiti. Collections from Wichita, Kansas will also be loaded with this in Miami. There have been collections of food, medical supplies, and hygiene items from various churches and schools that will go out in this load. This load will also include rice, beans and oil.

*We have purchased a semi load of rice from Arkansas and are working with the Fellowship of Christian Farmers to get that shipped to Miami as well. All of this will continue to ship to Haiti as it is received and loaded.

All for now,
Shelley