Physical Rehabilitation Clinic Dedicated for Haiti’s Amputees

Yesterday marked a tremendous stride forward for Haitian amputees and others severely injured by the earthquake: the dedication of a rehabilitation clinic and prosthetic workshop developed by JDC together with Israel’s Magen David Adom and Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital as well as the Haitian Red Cross and the HUEH (l’Hôpital de l’Université d’Etat d’Haïti). These modernized facilities are the first of their kind in Haiti.

The dedication ceremony, highlighted this morning by JTA and eJewish Philanthropy, included guests from high-profile local Haitian, Israeli, and international NGOs. Also in attendance were Ambassadors, Health Ministry officials, and other top dignitaries from Haiti, Israel, and the United States.

Dr. Alex Larsen, Haiti’s Minister of Public Health and Population, shared his country’s appreciation for this most recent project:

“The Jewish and Israeli response to the plight of the Haitian people has been outstanding and we are heartened by the outpouring of critical support and aid at this time. We are fortunate to have JDC – a steadfast partner in times of great disaster – stewarding this project, which is restoring health to many Haitians.”

At the same time, JDC has been working with our partners on the ground to the country’s cholera epidemic since first reports surfaced. To date, we’ve funded additional local medical teams with Heart to Heart International in tent cities focusing upon cholera education and hygiene. We have also funded a shipment, with New York-based Afya, of much needed equipment – IV bags, stands, tents, blankets, sheets, disinfectant – that has gone to another of our NGO partners, Partners In Health, as well as to Haitian cholera clinics. A second shipment of IV bags with lactated ringer solution for rehydration purposes is being readied. And mostly recently, we’ve purchased large quantities of Ciprix antibiotic tablets for use by a hospital in Cap-Haïtien, which is partnering with Mashav (Israel’s official agency for international development cooperation) to build an ICU unit.

A big “thank you” to all of our partners. And we’re all sending our best wishes to the Haitian people now as much as ever.

Seeing Haiti through New Eyes

Trying to imagine that you are transforming someone’s life in another country is no match for actually meeting the person whose life you’re changing. That’s why we were heartened that participants on the Jewish Federations of North America’s recent mission to Haiti created a blog to share the impact that their generous donations—and that of tens of thousands of others—is having on the Haitian people. Echoing that sentiment, Gideon Hersher, JDC’s representative in Haiti, reflects in the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles on the progress being made on this devastated island as Rosh Hashanah approaches.

Shanah Tovah from JDC’s global team. And on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world whom JDC reaches every day, we offer our deepest thanks and hope for a sweet new year.

Chicago Reps Visit JDC/Federation Schools in Haiti

Haitian children are grateful for the opportunity to study at one of 10 JDC-supported schools serving 2,000 in spontaneous settlements in Port-au-Prince. Photo courtesy of Lee Celano/Getty Images for JDC.

David Sherman, Chairman, and Steven B. Nasatir, President of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago are fresh off the plane from a 36-hour fact-finding mission in Haiti, where they saw first-hand the impact of the assistance provided by the North American Jewish community to date and explored areas for continued support to this island nation.

Sherman and Nasatir met with Haiti’s President Rene Preval and first lady Elisabeth Preval and toured Haitian relief work with Israeli officials. Two JDC-supported schools, operated by our local Haitian partner the Prodev Foundation, were a highlight of the visit.

“Just to see these smiling faces of young children back in school, in a setting with Jewish signs on the wall, makes me feel so proud to be part of our community,” Sherman said. “Prior to the earthquake many kids were not in school to begin with, so some of these children now have the opportunity to attend school for the first time in their lives. I can’t help but notice how much can be done with so little resources.”

Nasatir’s sentiments articulately echoes what JDC can’t help but feel – that our work in Haiti, supported through outstanding Federation partners like the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, is tikkun olam at its best. “I feel proud and privileged saying that we represent Jews of America,” Nasatir said. “People here understand the involvement and contribution and the energy that we and our partner organizations have brought to the rebuilding of Haiti. Whether it’s standing in front of a second-grade classroom or speaking directly with president or the prime minister, that’s a theme that’s very strong and important.”

JDC Promotes “Clean Water for a Healthy World”

One of 115 water tanks being installed by JDC and Prodev in the Delmas area of Port-Au-Prince. (Photo courtesy of Lee Celano/Getty Images for JDC)

“The sheer scale of dirty water means more people now die from contaminated and polluted water than from all forms of violence including wars,” the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said today in recognition of World Water Day, observed annually on March 22.

Apropos of this UN-designated day, now in its 18^th year, JDC is currently working with local partner, Prodev Foundation, to provide more than 300,000 gallons of clean drinking water daily to hundreds of thousands of displaced Haitians living in spontaneous settlements in Port-au-Prince. And among other H2O-related projects, JDC’s International Development Program in Ethiopia is widening access to fresh, potable water and raising sanitation standards through the construction of water wells, latrines, and an irrigation system in rural villages. Here’s to good health!

One Month Later: Haitians Hold Vigil

JDC’s Chief Operating Officer Judy Amit shares her observations from the ground on the one-month anniversary of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated more than 3 million of Haiti’s residents.

Today the people of Haiti began a three-day commemoration for the victims of last month’s horrific earthquake. Through fasting and prayer, island residents are honoring both the dead and the living. In the streets we see masses of people gathering and praying, singing quietly and swaying rhythmically … remembering those who were killed and giving thanks for those who survived. It is a moving occasion—one that is easy to identify with no matter where you are from or what you believe in … whether you are Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish … Buddhist, Muslim, or atheist. Natural disasters have no boundaries and can strike anytime, any place, wreacking havoc on all, regardless of background, ethnic group, religion, or social status.

This is our fourth day in Haiti. Every hour that passes seems like twenty-four. The experiences and sights challenge one’s emotions and thoughts, sending them into overdrive. The amount of pain and suffering … the magnitude of the destruction … are difficult to comprehend. When there is so much that needs to be done, where does one begin to help? It will take billions of dollars and many years before some sort of semblance of normalcy is restored to Haiti.

JDC partners on the ground are doing amazing work in difficult and impossible situations. We know that to save one life is to save the world entire … and we must continue to do this over and over again, one act at a time.

Helping Haiti Text by Text

JDC’s Next Gen mobile giving campaign, launched at a Haiti earthquake fundraiser attended by young professionals, was just featured in The Jewish Week. Text “JDCHAITI” to 8-5-9-4-4 to donate $10 via cell phone.

JDC “Got Milk” to Haitian Children

While all of the people of Haiti were affected by the January 12th earthquake, children are among those in greatest need. Helping to ensure their daily nutrition, JDC supported convoys carrying milk to Haiti through Chabad-Lubavitch of the Dominican Republic. Mandie, one of JDC’s team members on the ground, was on site as trucks were loaded before they left for Haiti.

Feeling Haiti’s Pain from Chicago

JTA published a moving op-ed by Steven B. Nasatir, president of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, on the crisis in Haiti. JUF is a JDC federation partner whose generous donation to JDC’s Haiti Relief Fund is helping to aid victims on the ground.

Working Against Clock & Hunger in Haiti

Food is reaching people in need in Haiti, as relief efforts struggle to overcome nearly insurmountable odds that threaten more lives.

There have already been news reports of looting of food convoys and rioting in Port-au-Prince and the outlying areas. JDC’s partner EcoWorks International has launched a feeding program in the capital that is serving 200 people a day.

EcoWorks has been conducting sustainable development programs in Haiti for the past year. Its familiarity with Haiti’s challenges and its roots in the community make it an ideal partner for JDC’s relief response. Meals are being prepared and distributed from the standing remnants of a local hospital.

Beyond Haiti’s Capital

JDC partner Heart to Heart International was the first relief group to arrive at Fondwa, Haiti, the epicenter of the most recent 6.0 magnitude quake. Our partner’s “extreme teams,” small groups consisting of two doctors, a nurse, and two operations personnel are bringing medical assistance to those suffering in outlying areas. Indeed, Heart to Heart is one of the few relief agencies venturing outside the capital to remote communities that, to date, are not seeing any other kind of assistance.

It’s a massive job but reinforcements are on the way. Heart to Heart has dispatched 20 additional medical volunteers to Haiti so that more underserved communities can be reached. Two additional airlifts of food and medicine are due to arrive in the capital in the coming days.