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Haiti quake: Aid workers' diaries Haiti quake: Aid workers' diaries
(10 minutes later)
Thousands of survivors are fending for themselvesThousands of survivors are fending for themselves
Scores of US troops have landed at Haiti's presidential palace, as aid efforts gather pace a week after the devastating earthquake.Scores of US troops have landed at Haiti's presidential palace, as aid efforts gather pace a week after the devastating earthquake.
Aid workers involved in the operation have been sharing their accounts with the BBC News website.Aid workers involved in the operation have been sharing their accounts with the BBC News website.
Aid workers' diaries Monday 18 Aid workers' diaries Sunday 17 Aid workers' diaries Saturday 16 Aid workers' diaries Friday 15 Aid workers' diaries Thursday 14Aid workers' diaries Monday 18 Aid workers' diaries Sunday 17 Aid workers' diaries Saturday 16 Aid workers' diaries Friday 15 Aid workers' diaries Thursday 14
MARTIN HARRISON, WATER ENGINEER MARTIN HARRISON, WATER ENGINEER Esitima, aged 12, is recovering in hospital
It has been a frantic day at the Baptist Haiti Mission Hospital where I am part of a multi-skilled team who arrived last Friday. The hospital is one of the few which survived the earthquake. News continues to spread that the hospital is open and that foreign doctors and surgeons are attending to patients. The hospital remains extremely stretched and is having to make difficult decisions about both the living and the dead in terms of priorities.It has been a frantic day at the Baptist Haiti Mission Hospital where I am part of a multi-skilled team who arrived last Friday. The hospital is one of the few which survived the earthquake. News continues to spread that the hospital is open and that foreign doctors and surgeons are attending to patients. The hospital remains extremely stretched and is having to make difficult decisions about both the living and the dead in terms of priorities.
We have had to dig a mass grave for patients who died and who have no family to collect the body - presumably the rest of the family perished in the earthquake. The smell of death is in the air, something I have not ever really had to deal with before.We have had to dig a mass grave for patients who died and who have no family to collect the body - presumably the rest of the family perished in the earthquake. The smell of death is in the air, something I have not ever really had to deal with before.
Esitima, aged 12, is recovering in hospital
In terms of the living, we are having to make patients wait with what would normally be high priority injuries because there are others who arrive without warning in a critical condition. People say they are still pulling bodies out of the rubble, even after six days.In terms of the living, we are having to make patients wait with what would normally be high priority injuries because there are others who arrive without warning in a critical condition. People say they are still pulling bodies out of the rubble, even after six days.
A lorry arrived laden with fresh medical supplies just as the final cast on a broken leg was being completed Martin's photo diary
The hospital has come close to running out of medical supplies, diesel for the generator and water. However it can only be described as miraculous how these needs are met at the last moment. A lorry arrived laden with fresh medical supplies just as the final cast on a broken leg was being completed. Somebody sourced some diesel as we ran the generator to keep the hospital functioning on its last gallons. As the hospital was reporting that it was out of water, we got the emergency filtration unit running!The hospital has come close to running out of medical supplies, diesel for the generator and water. However it can only be described as miraculous how these needs are met at the last moment. A lorry arrived laden with fresh medical supplies just as the final cast on a broken leg was being completed. Somebody sourced some diesel as we ran the generator to keep the hospital functioning on its last gallons. As the hospital was reporting that it was out of water, we got the emergency filtration unit running!
Despite all of this there are smiles of hope. A man grabbed me as I walked through the ward with my camera and insisted that I took a photo of his son who, after being operated on by the HCJB Global medical team, is going to live. Whilst still in the same ward a Haitian hospital chaplain led the patients in prayers and singing of hymns. It was quite overwhelming to experience the sense of peace that descended on this ward in the midst of such tremendous suffering.Despite all of this there are smiles of hope. A man grabbed me as I walked through the ward with my camera and insisted that I took a photo of his son who, after being operated on by the HCJB Global medical team, is going to live. Whilst still in the same ward a Haitian hospital chaplain led the patients in prayers and singing of hymns. It was quite overwhelming to experience the sense of peace that descended on this ward in the midst of such tremendous suffering.
Estima Yonel is another person with a big smile on his face. A 12 year old shepherd boy, Estima was walking back down the mountain with his herd of goats when the earthquake struck. Boulders tumbled down the mountainside and his leg and arm were crushed. The surgeons worked late into the night to save him. His brother and sister sit by his bedside with equally big white grins on their faces.Estima Yonel is another person with a big smile on his face. A 12 year old shepherd boy, Estima was walking back down the mountain with his herd of goats when the earthquake struck. Boulders tumbled down the mountainside and his leg and arm were crushed. The surgeons worked late into the night to save him. His brother and sister sit by his bedside with equally big white grins on their faces.
CARLOS MIRANDA LEVYCARLOS MIRANDA LEVY
I have just returned from Haiti, where I was delivering medical supplies, food and support for Relief International, and other institutions. I am heading back there tomorrow with more supplies.I have just returned from Haiti, where I was delivering medical supplies, food and support for Relief International, and other institutions. I am heading back there tomorrow with more supplies.
I'm an information and communications technical consultant based in the Dominican Republic. Last Wednesday, after the earthquake, I decided to go to Haiti. I don't work for an aid agency but I wanted to help. My friends advised me against it, but I went ahead anyway.I'm an information and communications technical consultant based in the Dominican Republic. Last Wednesday, after the earthquake, I decided to go to Haiti. I don't work for an aid agency but I wanted to help. My friends advised me against it, but I went ahead anyway.
Once word got out I was contacted by a someone who was trying to get a large trauma kit to Relief International doctors. The kit includes basics such as bandages and dressings, something that was needed urgently in Haiti.Once word got out I was contacted by a someone who was trying to get a large trauma kit to Relief International doctors. The kit includes basics such as bandages and dressings, something that was needed urgently in Haiti.
Once I set the ball rolling, things started to move quickly. We managed to get the Infante Sano organisation to pay for the kit, a group of students got a truck with driver for us, a friend bought supplies, tents and sleeping bags, and additional medical supplies, and a teacher offered his 4x4 Land Rover. We were soon ready to go and help.Once I set the ball rolling, things started to move quickly. We managed to get the Infante Sano organisation to pay for the kit, a group of students got a truck with driver for us, a friend bought supplies, tents and sleeping bags, and additional medical supplies, and a teacher offered his 4x4 Land Rover. We were soon ready to go and help.
When we got to Port-au-Prince we handed out our supplies to the Relief International doctors working in a field hospital. They just used the bandages and dressing right in front of me. They had no spare supplies at all. I watched as one doctor dressed a huge, five-day-old wound on a man's head. I fetched more supplies from our truck and they were all used there and then. Even the most basic medical supplies are desperately needed.When we got to Port-au-Prince we handed out our supplies to the Relief International doctors working in a field hospital. They just used the bandages and dressing right in front of me. They had no spare supplies at all. I watched as one doctor dressed a huge, five-day-old wound on a man's head. I fetched more supplies from our truck and they were all used there and then. Even the most basic medical supplies are desperately needed.
I knew that the film star Vin Diesel had frequently visited the Dominican Republic and Haiti. I decided to try and contact him to see if he could help. To my surprise I got through and he wants to help. I am organising a meeting with him, meanwhile I'm planning to go back to Haiti on Wednesday when I hope to take four doctors to Port-au-Prince.I knew that the film star Vin Diesel had frequently visited the Dominican Republic and Haiti. I decided to try and contact him to see if he could help. To my surprise I got through and he wants to help. I am organising a meeting with him, meanwhile I'm planning to go back to Haiti on Wednesday when I hope to take four doctors to Port-au-Prince.
DAVID DARG, OPERATION BLESSINGDAVID DARG, OPERATION BLESSING
Aid workers set up medical clinics and install clean water unitsAid workers set up medical clinics and install clean water units
For the third day in a row we have worked to treat victims in the Port-au-Prince soccer stadium. What started as an impromptu clinic has grown to become a field hospital where injured are kept overnight in tents.For the third day in a row we have worked to treat victims in the Port-au-Prince soccer stadium. What started as an impromptu clinic has grown to become a field hospital where injured are kept overnight in tents.
Today a group of French doctors joined the team allowing us to open 14 separate treatment stations. A truck with a PA system has been touring the downtown area encouraging the injured to come to the stadium for treatment and we have made announcements on the radio. One of the Israeli doctors we are working with sighed in frustration today and told me he had never seen anything like this, none of us have.Today a group of French doctors joined the team allowing us to open 14 separate treatment stations. A truck with a PA system has been touring the downtown area encouraging the injured to come to the stadium for treatment and we have made announcements on the radio. One of the Israeli doctors we are working with sighed in frustration today and told me he had never seen anything like this, none of us have.
Patients that would normally be rushed to the emergency room were being turned away because there were others with more serious conditions. I saw a child with a broken back, she was paralysed and I could see her spine bulging outwards in one spot. She was motionless except for her screaming. Another little girl had lost her right ear and a considerable section of her scalp.Patients that would normally be rushed to the emergency room were being turned away because there were others with more serious conditions. I saw a child with a broken back, she was paralysed and I could see her spine bulging outwards in one spot. She was motionless except for her screaming. Another little girl had lost her right ear and a considerable section of her scalp.
While the doctors worked in the stadium I was in the national hospital. We were responding to an urgent call the hospital made for clean water. This is the largest hospital in Haiti and everywhere you look there are patients resting after treatment. A good proportion of the hospital was destroyed and now the patients are lying on old desks, blood-stained mattresses or even on the ground.While the doctors worked in the stadium I was in the national hospital. We were responding to an urgent call the hospital made for clean water. This is the largest hospital in Haiti and everywhere you look there are patients resting after treatment. A good proportion of the hospital was destroyed and now the patients are lying on old desks, blood-stained mattresses or even on the ground.
We were installing a water purification unit which can output 10,000 gallons of clean water per day. Tomorrow we will be back at the hospital to finish the installation and get water pumping and our doctors will be back in action in the stadium.We were installing a water purification unit which can output 10,000 gallons of clean water per day. Tomorrow we will be back at the hospital to finish the installation and get water pumping and our doctors will be back in action in the stadium.
The biggest challenge we are facing at the moment is the shortage of fuel. We are having to ration the diesel we have and we are hoping this doesn't restrict movement in the midst of great momentum on our relief effort. The great news is that I just found out that Operation Blessing has a fuel supply on board a US Navy ship and that should be here in a few days along with tons of relief goods for distribution and 10 more of the water purification units like the one we installed today.The biggest challenge we are facing at the moment is the shortage of fuel. We are having to ration the diesel we have and we are hoping this doesn't restrict movement in the midst of great momentum on our relief effort. The great news is that I just found out that Operation Blessing has a fuel supply on board a US Navy ship and that should be here in a few days along with tons of relief goods for distribution and 10 more of the water purification units like the one we installed today.
It's raining quite hard now and the mosquitoes will be out soon, the rain will only worsen the already difficult living conditions for the scores of Haitians in tents across the quake zone.It's raining quite hard now and the mosquitoes will be out soon, the rain will only worsen the already difficult living conditions for the scores of Haitians in tents across the quake zone.
SARAH GILLAM, ACTIONAIDSARAH GILLAM, ACTIONAID
Sarah Gillam: "More food supplies will be picked up tonight for distribution tomorrow"Sarah Gillam: "More food supplies will be picked up tonight for distribution tomorrow"
Yesterday ActionAid started the first of its distribution of emergency goods, delivering special emergency high protein meals to 2,750 children and enough medical supplies for about 250 wounded people.Yesterday ActionAid started the first of its distribution of emergency goods, delivering special emergency high protein meals to 2,750 children and enough medical supplies for about 250 wounded people.
Working with a local partner organisation, the team took the supplies to four refugee camps, an impromptu field hospital and an ActionAid supported school in the Mariani district of Port-au-Prince.Working with a local partner organisation, the team took the supplies to four refugee camps, an impromptu field hospital and an ActionAid supported school in the Mariani district of Port-au-Prince.
The largest camp has 7,253 residents - all accounted for by volunteers working with us. They're living under makeshift tents made out of bedsheets and sticks but many have no covering at all. In all the camps, voluntary committees have been set up by residents themselves to deal with food and water.The largest camp has 7,253 residents - all accounted for by volunteers working with us. They're living under makeshift tents made out of bedsheets and sticks but many have no covering at all. In all the camps, voluntary committees have been set up by residents themselves to deal with food and water.
The risk of rape is very real for women in the camps - but thankfully at one camp I visited today volunteers have developed a system in which the most vulnerable women are guarded by volunteers at night. Every afternoon a Haitian police officer visits the camp and residents turn in whoever has been accused of rape. This has significantly lowered the risk and shows how the people of Haiti are taking their destiny into their own hands.The risk of rape is very real for women in the camps - but thankfully at one camp I visited today volunteers have developed a system in which the most vulnerable women are guarded by volunteers at night. Every afternoon a Haitian police officer visits the camp and residents turn in whoever has been accused of rape. This has significantly lowered the risk and shows how the people of Haiti are taking their destiny into their own hands.
More food supplies will be picked up tonight for distribution tomorrow, a secure warehouse has been found, orders have been sent out for supplies, and we've located a new office as ActionAid's is now unsafe. Staff are working round the clock on funding applications across the world. Internet connection has been very poor and phone contact with the outside world intermittent.More food supplies will be picked up tonight for distribution tomorrow, a secure warehouse has been found, orders have been sent out for supplies, and we've located a new office as ActionAid's is now unsafe. Staff are working round the clock on funding applications across the world. Internet connection has been very poor and phone contact with the outside world intermittent.
ISABELLE JEANSON, MEDICINES SANS FRONTIERESISABELLE JEANSON, MEDICINES SANS FRONTIERES
Yesterday I visited Trinite Hospital. There was a small baby, about one-and-a-half months old, lying on her side in her bed because her right arm had been amputated and was covered in bandages.Yesterday I visited Trinite Hospital. There was a small baby, about one-and-a-half months old, lying on her side in her bed because her right arm had been amputated and was covered in bandages.
Isabelle Jeanson: inside a therapeutic feeding centre for malourished childrenIsabelle Jeanson: inside a therapeutic feeding centre for malourished children
The auxiliary nurse told me her story - sad and miraculous. She was in the hospital when the earthquake partially destroyed it. Somehow this tiny little girl survived after falling through concrete floors and walls and was rescued from the rubble, though we have no idea where her mother is.The auxiliary nurse told me her story - sad and miraculous. She was in the hospital when the earthquake partially destroyed it. Somehow this tiny little girl survived after falling through concrete floors and walls and was rescued from the rubble, though we have no idea where her mother is.
Chances are she doesn't have a family anymore. Some people are now selling food in makeshift markets, and there is more traffic in the streets. There's also the regular sound of helicopters hovering.Chances are she doesn't have a family anymore. Some people are now selling food in makeshift markets, and there is more traffic in the streets. There's also the regular sound of helicopters hovering.
More and more aid organizations are showing up and trucks and some cranes are steadily working through buildings in the city, though who knows how long it will take to dig through all the rubble to find those missing.More and more aid organizations are showing up and trucks and some cranes are steadily working through buildings in the city, though who knows how long it will take to dig through all the rubble to find those missing.
A man with a gunshot wound was carried in on a stretcher. Two doctors jumped into action, first checking to see if he was conscious, then seeing if he could feel his arms and legs. Even though the gunshot had punctured his neck they determined he was "operable".A man with a gunshot wound was carried in on a stretcher. Two doctors jumped into action, first checking to see if he was conscious, then seeing if he could feel his arms and legs. Even though the gunshot had punctured his neck they determined he was "operable".
The patients we are treating will end up leaving our hospital as different people. Many must undergo amputations because their limbs are so badly crushed there's no way of saving them. A colleague, who is on his fourth mission, told me he was amazed because he had no idea MSF had the capability to implement the human resources, the logistics, the setup that is required for this kind of emergency.The patients we are treating will end up leaving our hospital as different people. Many must undergo amputations because their limbs are so badly crushed there's no way of saving them. A colleague, who is on his fourth mission, told me he was amazed because he had no idea MSF had the capability to implement the human resources, the logistics, the setup that is required for this kind of emergency.
Most amazingly though, is that everyone here, including our Haitian staff, are so singly focused these days on the one common intention: to save as many people as we can.Most amazingly though, is that everyone here, including our Haitian staff, are so singly focused these days on the one common intention: to save as many people as we can.