In the wake of Haiti’s recent and devastating earthquake, each of us is asking, “What is the best way to help?”
PHI recommends sending contributions to Partners in Health, a well-established, Boston-based nonprofit organization that brings modern medical care to poor communities in nine countries, including Haiti. Partners in Health is known for its pioneering use of community health workers to improve the health of people with chronic illnesses.
Partners in Health has been working in Haiti for over 20 years. Since the earthquake, they have helped to organize 20 operating rooms throughout the country to treat the injured. Twelve medical facilities that they developed in two regions outside the city before the earthquake hit are now being used to care for people injured in Port-au-Prince. The organization is also working with Haitian health officials to restore services in this capital’s largest hospital.
Partners in Health is in great need of financial support. Please consider donating at pih.org.
Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti, including the Haitians who live in the United States — many of whom care for our elders and people with disabilities in need of long-term services and supports.
I have heard many stories this past week about how the earthquake in Haiti has impacted long term care employees. We learned of nursing assistants who lost friends and relatives, and saw the impact of their employer’s genuine caring and support to them.
Thank you for the suggestion to support Partners in Health. And thank you to the long term care provider community for the ways in which you are supporting your staff and elders to grieve, cope, and find hope in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Thank you,Sue.
PHI is collecting “stories” from long-term care providers who are helping their direct-care workers w Haitian ties deal with this tragedy.
We would also like to hear from direct-care workers who are willing to share thier personal experience of coping with the loss, unknown, and financial need in Haiti, while working in jobs caring for others.
Please post these experiences — or contact me directly at dbeebe@phinational.org; 718-928- 2033.
Thank you,
Deane Beebe, PHI
Public Education and Media Relations
PHI