November 1, 2010
Set to touch land at the end of this week, Hurricane Tomas is heading directly for Les Cayes, Haiti. The country is on a national alert for not only a spreading Cholera Outbreak, but now for a cyclone expected to bring high winds, heavy rains, and high tides, specifically in the South. Hope for Haiti is working on hurricane preparedness while also acting to educate and prevent Cholera in southern Haiti. Hope for Haiti’s medical team and staff are working to spread education about Cholera and the keys to prevention throughout 40 schools and 60 healthcare sites. Volunteers are assembling Cholera prevention kits with soap, rehydration salts, water purification tablets, and health educational resources in Kreyol explaining the illness, ways of prevention, and the need for immediate treatment if symptoms begin.
To prepare for the Hurricane Tomas, Hope for Haiti has 2,000 survival buckets assembled and is placing them in locations where they can be quickly distributed. We are also fortifying the Hope for Haiti Infirmary in Les Cayes with sand bags, emergency supplies, food, water, fuel, and medications. The country is sadly fighting three separate emergency fronts simultaneously – post-earthquake recovery, Cholera, and now hurricane preparedness. Thankfully, Hope for Haiti is in a position to offer help in terms of human and material resources, but collaboration between private and public partners is critical to provide the level of response that is needed. Donations and prayers at this time are greatly appreciated.
 Cholera Prevention Kits |
 Patients lined at Hope for Haiti Infirmary |
 Survival Bucket |