I have finally found a somewhat reliable internet connection and so I have decided to write a bit about my trip so far…..

I have just finished the 6 day week of seeing patients. I get up when the sun hits my tent and it becomes a hot box and make my tea and instant oatmeal! I was the only PT this week so I immediately have been making decisions on who needs what and how to help next. We see patients at the refugee camp from 8-2 until the heat completely exhausts me and seeing another pt would be of no help to them or me.

We have a clinic (made of tarp and wood) with 5 plinths and many supplies that have been organized by previous volunteers. There are 150 or so patients and new ones coming in daily. Ranging from children to adults who have been severely injured in the earthquake, many still on crutches, canes and in wheelchairs. It is heartbreaking to hear not only the injury stories but the amount of family members that each patient has lost. Because it is 4+ months from the earthquake the scars have mostly healed but the disability is prevalent. I will be very excited to discuss the patients with Krysten, Katie, Emily, Julia and Nancy when they arrive tomorrow to figure out the best way in which we can help increase functional outcomes…..(that was kind of intense PT talk…haha).

I am staying on the land of a Missionary compound. I have never really interacted with Missionaries quite like this before, to be honest I try to stay far away (no offense to anyone;) However, honestly I am amazed and impressed with the work they are doing and the amount of help they are providing the community here. They run food distribution for many neighboring communities, an orphanage/school for 60 children, a medical clinic and the list goes on. I reside beside the warehouse where I walk daily and see where all the “food drive/clothing drives for Haiti” end up! It is crazy to see the other side. Word of advice when donating to the developing world it is best to send a box all of one thing not a misc grouping of clothes shoes etc. It will make this side MUCH easier for distribution! So I have yet to tell the wonderful people that run this place that i am Jewish but I don’t really think they would care..Ha. I did tell the Haitian translator….first I was VIP- the Chosen people, then I was quickly becoming his convert project. To say the least…they really love Jesus….and OBAMA!

So I am meeting new friends, eating out of a bag, taking cold showers and working on my french/Creole and having a great time… and the cold beer at the end of the night helps….”

Post Note: The name of Shana’s organization is called “Hands of Light in Action” and can be found on Facebook.  Hands of Light in Action (HOLIA) is an 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is focused on assisting people in need.  HOLIA was started by Nancy Malone, PT after Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005. She has devoted her life to assisting people in need with her greatest passion being assisting during disasters. Currently, the organization is focused on the country of Haiti and is accepting volunteers, MEDICAL and NON-MEDICAL. There is a strong need for physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, and prothetists. Contact us if you would like to volunteer.

Hands of Light in Action
P.O. Box 87513
Canton, MI 48188
Phone: (734) 981-6737
Fax (734) 981-6737

We pray for Haiti.
Our hearts are breaking, God.
The human mind cannot grasp the enormity of the loss.
The cries echo through the universe.
Innocent blood is calling us
To rise up from our heartbreak and act.
We pray for Haiti.
Help us, God,
To understand that destruction can come in a moment
But healing may take a lifetime.
Teach us perseverance, teach us dedication.
We pray for Haiti.
God of the weak, God of the broken-hearted,
God of the living, God of the dead,
Send healing to Haiti.
Send hope to the children who are lost and alone,
Send strength and resilience to the wounded,
And comfort to the grieving.
Fill the leaders of Haiti with the wisdom to raise their country up.
Fill relief workers with resolve.
Bless the doctors and nurses with the power
And the skill to save as many lives as possible.
Open their eyes, steady their hands.
We pray for Haiti.
Bless us, God,
Work through us.
Remind us that every one of us is filled with the power to heal.
Do not let the passage of time lead us to indifference.
Open our hearts, open our hands.
We pray for Haiti.
Let all nations unite as one in a time of reconstruction and repair.
Raise up the people of Haiti, God, out of helplessness and despair.
Teach them to believe
That cities shall be rebuilt on their ruins
That the cries of the children will soon return to laughter.
Be with them, God, watch over them.
And gather the souls of the dead
Whose homes and schools became their graves
Into Your eternal shelter,
Let them find peace in Your presence, God.
We pray for Haiti.
Amen.

In the coming weeks many of these questions will find answers, and many more questions we haven’t even begun to contemplate, will come to light. What will the cost of rebuilding be? Who will do it? How long will it take? Will the international community make good on their monetary/aid relief commitment to this poor impoverished nation? Will we remember Haiti this time next month? Or will this incident be lost to the histories?

In these situations we must act fast. Not only to save as many lives a possible, but to do as much good as possible while this incident continues to tickle the frontal lobes of our collective conscience. And react swiftly we have. The international community has responded in spades. It would seem that the whole world has come forth and pledged aid.

World contribution totals thus far have reached more than $833,649,000 from over 29 countries, and more will continue to pour in. Many have sent delegations, to assess and react to conditions on the ground. From shipments of insulin for the diabetics, to aerial drops of food and essential survival equipment. Search and rescue teams have been sent, and doctors have massed. Everyone has shown up. Given the unfortunate opportunity to help those in need, we have (thank god) answered the call.

There is however one country who isn’t mentioned. Not listed among the countries who have given aid, but should be. Not mentioned in the majority of reports about responders on the ground, but should be. A country, and I’m paraphrasing heavily from a friend, who has taken the horrific lessons of war and terror and transformed them into a gift that can be used to help the less fortunate.

Israel is no stranger to disaster. Has had its fair share of trouble, and has seen much mayhem over the years. But from the ashes of tragedy, a system of relief has prevailed. A system that, as it turns out, has incredible benefits for the international community and those in need.

The IDF Home Front Command constantly trains its search and rescue forces to respond accurately to emergencies,” an IDF spokesperson told Israel News Agency. “The IDF frequently holds search and rescue exercises in cooperation with civilian Israel and international organizations, such as the Reliant Mermaid X exercise in August 2009, in which Turkey, US, and Israel naval and aerial forces cooperated. The IDF Home Front Command and the Israel Ministry of Health are also currently holding an international conference for emergency preparedness and response, to share its experience with hundreds of international officials.”

As we saw with the 2009 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Turkey, the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, and a slew of other natural disasters, Israel was there. Haiti is no different. When the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port au-Prince on January 12, the idea of not providing assistance never even surfaced. Within 48 hours, from across the world, the first Israeli team landed in Haiti ready to work. GOC Home Front commander Maj-Gen Yair Golan, and IDF Surgeon General Brig-Gen Nachman Ash were among the first team to land. There to assess the situation and report how big the delegation from Israel must be, they went right to work.

The first Israeli delegation was closely followed by the rest of the team. As of now Israel is operating at full force in Haiti. The search and rescue team is made up of elite army corps engineers, and medical units to deploy field hospitals. Five crews from the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Unit have been deployed in the area. 121 people from the medical corps team, including 40 doctors, are also operating in the disaster zone.

A massive Israeli field hospital and community clinic has been established at the soccer stadium in the center of Port au-Prince. The Israeli team will spend two weeks operating in Haiti, and plan on treating at least 500 people a day. With state of the art equipment such as x-ray, CT scanners, ventilators in the ICU, and multiple operating rooms, Israel is poised to make a big impact.

Thus far the results have been enormous. Israeli search and rescue has assisted in finding and rescuing many people trapped under rubble. The medical staff has treated well over 200 people, performed at least 25 life-saving surgeries, and even facilitated three births. Rumors are circulating that even the Americans are sending patients to Israeli facilities.

Civilian organizations operating from Israel have also acted as first responders to this terrible incident. Magen David Adom has sent a mission to Haiti, joining the international search and rescue team. This mixed rescue team has been successful in pulling approximately a hundred people out of destroyed buildings. Other organizations from Israel such as Israel Flying Aid, and IsraAID have contributed to ongoing efforts.

IsraAID is an Israel-based first response organization that is no stranger to this type of work. They have been involved with relief efforts all over the world. They were on the ground during Hurricane Katrina, have established many medical facilities in Ethiopia, were at hand during the Russian invasion of Georgia, the earthquake in Turkey, and presently are operating in Haiti. Arriving two days after the earthquake struck, IsraAID’s fifteen member delegation in Haiti consists of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and logisticians. Their support is acquired through donations from UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, American Jewish Committee, B’nai Brith International, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and many other Federations throughout North America.

Even as I sit and write this article, reports are coming in that a strong aftershock has just hit Haiti, amounting to a 6.1-magnitude temblor. A clear sign that there is still much work to be done. Thousands are trapped, and even more are homeless. Multitudes remain without food or water, and still others are waiting to receive medical attention. Infrastructure has been destroyed and a country that was teetering on the brink has been devastated. The responsibility to correct this dreadful situation, as Israel understands, falls on the international community.

There is not a single person, myself included, whose heart does not weep for the victims of this freak disaster. But this is today, and today is right in front of us. What will be a month from now, and for that matter what will be a year from now? Haiti most definitely will not be fully recovered, but we will. We will have moved on to the next this, or a bigger that. And who can blame us? We are not from Haiti. We were not directly affected by this disaster. Even so, we must make sure that in the months that follow Haiti isn’t just another forgotten disaster, left to mend its wounds on its own. We have a collective responsibility to help the less fortunate. As this crisis continues to unfold my thoughts and prayers are with all families that have been deeply affected by this disaster.

If people are moved to donate, they can use this link to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund of American Jewish World Service, or see additional agencies in this earlier article.

Collapsed buildings on a street in Port au Prince, Haiti ©Getty Images

UPDATES: Several local organizations are sponsoring/hosting benefits to raise funds for Haiti. Here are a few we’ve heard about – if you would like to add to the list, please comment below.

ABCDEFG Haiti – February 19, 7 p.m. to midnight:  “Amazing Boulder Carnival Dance and Earthquake Fund Gathering for Haiti.” Join us in supporting our Haitian brothers and sisters at a fundraising extravaganza  at the Boulder Elks Lodge, 3975 28th St. in Boulder.  Music, dancing, tasty food, costumes and prizes, guest speakers, silent auction of fabulous items, and more.  Our chef, Tom McNeill, is owner and executive chef of The Gourmet Cowboy in Vail.  All hosted by Rockin’ Robin!  Tickets are only $25. 100% of proceeds goes to the American Red Cross for its Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Info at ABCDEFGHaiti.com. Performers include Chris Daniels and Jaden (who totally rocks. If you haven’t seen this kid – she’s amazing).

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As you’ve probably heard by now, Port-au-Prince, Haiti was rocked by an enormous, 7.0 magnitude earthquake almost directly under the city, and the area has been devastated.  The estimate of the number of people impacted by the earthquake in the immediate areas of worst shaking is upwards of 2.5 million people.  There are thousands of casualties, and relief work is just beginning to get underway as I write this, 24 hours after the quake.

President Clinton, the UN’s Special Envoy to Haiti since last year,  speaking on NPR this afternoon and asked what the UN and Haiti needed,  responded that “for the next week or so, the main thing we need is cash.”  This is not unusual after a disaster of this magnitude — it is difficult to get people and teams of workers to the site, and what aid agencies need initially is the cash to cover the immense amount of food, water and medical supplies that must be purchased and shipped in before anyone thinks about dealing with clothing or other goods donations.

From the JTA:

Though Haiti does not have much of a Jewish community left, the Jewish world is mobilizing to help out in the recovery from last night’s massive earthquake.

In the United States, several Jewish groups — including the American Jewish World Service, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, American Jewish Committee and B’nai B’rith International — have set up mailboxes for people to make donations. And Israel has sent over rescue workers to help in the general cause and to find several missing Israelis.”

Though not comprehensive, here is a brief list of Jewish and non-Jewish aid organizations which are collecting money; some are also directly involved on the ground in Haiti.  All links below go directly to a Haiti-information or specific donation page, plus any alternate methods are given. If you would like add organizations or share other info for getting involved, please comment below.

• Allied Jewish Federation:  Mail check made out to AJF with “Haiti Relief Fund” in memo to AJF, 300 S. Dahlia St. Suite 300, Denver, CO 80246
• American Jewish Committee
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
• American Red Cross: 1-800-REDCROSS.  Send a $10 Donation now by Texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999.
• American Jewish World Service, 212-792-2900.
• B’nai Brith International
• Colorado Haiti Project (locally based)
• Doctors Without Borders, 888-392-0392
• UNICEF, 800-367-5437

Also, as with any disaster, the FBI urges people who are looking for ways to help with earthquake relief to be wary of solicitations that could be from scam artists.

“Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization or a good cause,” the FBI said, in passing along these tips:

• Ignore unsolicited e-mails, and do not click on links within those messages.

• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

• Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because the files may contain computer viruses. Open attachments only from know senders.

• Decline to give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.

• Make contributions directly to known organizations, rather than relying on others who claim in e-mails that they will channel the donation to established groups.

The FBI says anyone receiving an e-mail that appears to be a scam should forward it to this website: www.ic3.gov