So I feel a bit sick to my stomach. This morning I was able to connect again with a friend who made it from where we were in Les Cayes to the Central Plateau. While this place is bedrock and should be safe, Erinece told me many injured from Port-au-Prince are coming in and out of necessity, they're being treated in fields instead of the hospital itself.
While it's not clear if that is because of precautions for aftershocks or because there are so many... Suzy from IDEJEN told me about a 6.1 aftershock that rocked 35 miles northwest of PAP at 6:03 this morning.
There is so much to do and so all over the country. While the large organizations are streaming in the support into PAP, there are still little guys on the ground that are trying to fill in the gaps. Personally, I'm focused on trying to help them.
Here are 3 that I (or close Haitian friends of mine) recommend:
Hope For Haiti
Partners in Health
Hands Together
But don't just take my personal recommendations... InterAction is a coalition of U.S. NGOs that developed guidelines on how to help.
More in the coming days.
Read more!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Safely State-Side
Hi Everyone,
I know that most of you have heard by now... but Jess and I are safely back in the U.S. as of last night. On late Saturday we were flown to Santo Domingo where we waited until we could get planes out the next evening. Jessica is already with her family and headed back to the Bay Area later today. Meanwhile, I missed a connecting flight and stayed in Miami last night... I'll fly to Los Angeles this afternoon, where I expect I'll reconnect with family for a few days.
It probably will be a few days before I blog additional thoughts on our trip - both before and after the earthquake... but in the meantime, thank you for all the support from home. We are truly lucky to have such loving friends and family.
-Ryan Read more!
I know that most of you have heard by now... but Jess and I are safely back in the U.S. as of last night. On late Saturday we were flown to Santo Domingo where we waited until we could get planes out the next evening. Jessica is already with her family and headed back to the Bay Area later today. Meanwhile, I missed a connecting flight and stayed in Miami last night... I'll fly to Los Angeles this afternoon, where I expect I'll reconnect with family for a few days.
It probably will be a few days before I blog additional thoughts on our trip - both before and after the earthquake... but in the meantime, thank you for all the support from home. We are truly lucky to have such loving friends and family.
-Ryan Read more!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Waiting Game
So as many of you may know (or maybe not!), Jess and I are still in Les Cayes waiting for things to play out on our ride home. They indicate we'll leave today... but please know that is only the beginning and it could take a while to travel to a safe port of exit, depending on their plans. I think logistics have been challenging, especially because the entry point for anyone into the country right now is far from where we are (PaP or Cap Hatien if flying... DR if driving). But I promise we’ll let you know when we can.
Now before I go any further: For those of you who are worried from everything you see on TV... DON'T BE. As we've been writing to friends and family, we are far away from PaP (4-5 hour drive on a normal day!). While there are people starting to come in more regularly from Port-au-Prince... there is no trouble in Les Cayes and it is probably one of the safer big towns in Haiti right now.
That said, might as well fill you in on what we know while we wait...
You probably know as much as we do about PaP as we do from CNN... but we know from our friends that supplies are still having trouble getting to hastily-erected trauma centers, and from what I see on TV, I wonder if our friends at Hope for Haiti from Les Cayes have been as successful getting supplies to their efforts in PaP than the stuff getting in on planes.
However, despite how the past several days have gone, I believe even HFH has begun flying in stuff from Florida directly to PaP as "extra" supplies from Les Cayes have mostly been sent or are now being diverted for use here to tend to the injured arriving in town.
The situation in Les Cayes is an interesting view of the struggles when most of large aid organizations' leadership is in PaP. I'm told that the first day or two here was spent in confusion or disaggregated efforts. The UN made a concerted effort to draw in all aid organizations for coordination by Thursday (if not Wed), but I think it's still been a struggle to fully prepare Les Cayes for the continued reception of displaced and injured peoples. Some of that relates to supplies and logistics (not enough medical personnel)... but some of that is what happens when certain efforts are run by committee or there are complex relationships between the government and aid organizations in Haiti (perhaps something I can discuss another time).
We helped install lighting in the tent city two days ago, but it is uncertain how many there are the originally intended residents (the injured who don't need to be at the hospital). In addition, the hospital has been swamped and there is a challenge to even triage patients because of capacity issues (yesterday was a decision to move the emergency room to a larger, if unfinished, location that could be secured with minimal-to-moderate effort). Luckily, some additional medical support and supplies are expected to arrive in Les Cayes today. More on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the general population is still in shock: trying to hear from family (a slow process for some) or mourning lost loved ones. Many people also still sleep outside for fear of aftershocks and structural damage to homes (though I only know of one building that actually collapsed here). There is a gas shortage: only 1 of 4 stations was still open yesterday as the town still waits for a shipment that may/may not come this weekend. Financial institutions are SLOWLY reopening. The cell reception is still down. And as people continue to come to the city, things become a bit more crowded, yet still safe.
At this point, all we can do is wait and keep in touch with friends and the efforts to help... and to keep you informed as well. Thanks for the all the love and continued support! Read more!
Now before I go any further: For those of you who are worried from everything you see on TV... DON'T BE. As we've been writing to friends and family, we are far away from PaP (4-5 hour drive on a normal day!). While there are people starting to come in more regularly from Port-au-Prince... there is no trouble in Les Cayes and it is probably one of the safer big towns in Haiti right now.
That said, might as well fill you in on what we know while we wait...
You probably know as much as we do about PaP as we do from CNN... but we know from our friends that supplies are still having trouble getting to hastily-erected trauma centers, and from what I see on TV, I wonder if our friends at Hope for Haiti from Les Cayes have been as successful getting supplies to their efforts in PaP than the stuff getting in on planes.
However, despite how the past several days have gone, I believe even HFH has begun flying in stuff from Florida directly to PaP as "extra" supplies from Les Cayes have mostly been sent or are now being diverted for use here to tend to the injured arriving in town.
The situation in Les Cayes is an interesting view of the struggles when most of large aid organizations' leadership is in PaP. I'm told that the first day or two here was spent in confusion or disaggregated efforts. The UN made a concerted effort to draw in all aid organizations for coordination by Thursday (if not Wed), but I think it's still been a struggle to fully prepare Les Cayes for the continued reception of displaced and injured peoples. Some of that relates to supplies and logistics (not enough medical personnel)... but some of that is what happens when certain efforts are run by committee or there are complex relationships between the government and aid organizations in Haiti (perhaps something I can discuss another time).
We helped install lighting in the tent city two days ago, but it is uncertain how many there are the originally intended residents (the injured who don't need to be at the hospital). In addition, the hospital has been swamped and there is a challenge to even triage patients because of capacity issues (yesterday was a decision to move the emergency room to a larger, if unfinished, location that could be secured with minimal-to-moderate effort). Luckily, some additional medical support and supplies are expected to arrive in Les Cayes today. More on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the general population is still in shock: trying to hear from family (a slow process for some) or mourning lost loved ones. Many people also still sleep outside for fear of aftershocks and structural damage to homes (though I only know of one building that actually collapsed here). There is a gas shortage: only 1 of 4 stations was still open yesterday as the town still waits for a shipment that may/may not come this weekend. Financial institutions are SLOWLY reopening. The cell reception is still down. And as people continue to come to the city, things become a bit more crowded, yet still safe.
At this point, all we can do is wait and keep in touch with friends and the efforts to help... and to keep you informed as well. Thanks for the all the love and continued support! Read more!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Extraction Point
Dear Family and Friends,
We are finally homeward bound.
After days of trying to keep constantly updated with hourly information, considering our best options while we waited for our return home, and seeing the direct impact on individuals and families from this incredible catastrophe... we have been informed that we will likely be evacuated from Les Cayes tomorrow.
We don't know how long it will take us to reach home, but we have been assured that we will be escorted by professionals each step of the way, and kept as secure and safe as possible.
In the meantime, while cell phones have been getting a tad better (I had service for 5 hours in the afternoon), we have been facing a forthcoming blackout at our current (and perhaps final) location in Les Cayes... so we were going to have to move tomorrow anyway.
Since we don't know whether our phone will operate or whether we will have email after about 10AM EST tomorrow, please be patient with any further delays in status updates.
Again, thank you for all the love and support.
Yours,
Ryan and Jess
Read more!
We are finally homeward bound.
After days of trying to keep constantly updated with hourly information, considering our best options while we waited for our return home, and seeing the direct impact on individuals and families from this incredible catastrophe... we have been informed that we will likely be evacuated from Les Cayes tomorrow.
We don't know how long it will take us to reach home, but we have been assured that we will be escorted by professionals each step of the way, and kept as secure and safe as possible.
In the meantime, while cell phones have been getting a tad better (I had service for 5 hours in the afternoon), we have been facing a forthcoming blackout at our current (and perhaps final) location in Les Cayes... so we were going to have to move tomorrow anyway.
Since we don't know whether our phone will operate or whether we will have email after about 10AM EST tomorrow, please be patient with any further delays in status updates.
Again, thank you for all the love and support.
Yours,
Ryan and Jess
Read more!
Dumplist of Updates
Internet was slow last night and we've been extremely busy figuring out our best options for what to do until we can return home... so you get a mid-day update instead.
We've been staying at the headquarters for Hope for Haiti in Les Cayes for the past two nights. Which helped since our stay may be prolonged and financial insitutions have been largely closed since the earthquake.
Here's what we know about PAP...
Roads are busy but passable to PAP. Not only did a couple we know make it to PAP, but buses are starting to load with people and donated supplies who seek their families or to help in general. The UN had their food supplies looted today as supplies thin, though the airport is now receiving relief efforts and we hope this will change. Some of the biggest issues are food, water, and removing the deceased from the streets. Medical supplies are also rapidly runnigng out. For example, Hope for Haiti began a trauma center in Petionville in PAP... and has identified all medical supplies, many food and other emergency supplies, as well as clothing for the injured as huge needs. So if you can find a place to support that is sending physical aid, that is also needed (I think Los Angeles sent a rapid response team). I'd check online (though a few I know are Hope for Haiti, Partners in Health, Catholic Relief Services, among others).
In Les Cayes, things are gearing up for continuing to receive the displaced and injured. The hospital is already swamped despite being 140 miles away from PAP. The UN, CRS, Rotary Club and others are mobilizing to erect a temporary city for the displaced. Many here have donated additional clothing or money to PAP through their churches or the radio station, and Red Cross is holding a big blood drive. But Les Cayes is not without it's share of challenges. Gas is becoming short... which effects not only transportation, but electricity. So we expect that general electricity will be replaced by generators in many sections of the city... and the batteries that are already in place. This means we'll likely be moving from our cushy location soon... and will update you as soon as that happens.
Currently, we are trying to help and consider options with a fairly mobilized group of American engineers and missionaries. We are uncertain if we still have the option to head for PAP soon, but we at least know where and who to work with if we do.
In the meantime, I just literally received our first text of any kind in two days just a few minutes ago. We still expect communication to be difficult... but if the lines get fully re-established, we may be able to add more time and communicate with the phone tree as we are able (again, things are very busy here in gathering information, remaining prepared, and providing what little help we can while we do so).
So... please know that Jess and I are still safe and I will post again, if the internet gods are willing.
Read more!
We've been staying at the headquarters for Hope for Haiti in Les Cayes for the past two nights. Which helped since our stay may be prolonged and financial insitutions have been largely closed since the earthquake.
Here's what we know about PAP...
Roads are busy but passable to PAP. Not only did a couple we know make it to PAP, but buses are starting to load with people and donated supplies who seek their families or to help in general. The UN had their food supplies looted today as supplies thin, though the airport is now receiving relief efforts and we hope this will change. Some of the biggest issues are food, water, and removing the deceased from the streets. Medical supplies are also rapidly runnigng out. For example, Hope for Haiti began a trauma center in Petionville in PAP... and has identified all medical supplies, many food and other emergency supplies, as well as clothing for the injured as huge needs. So if you can find a place to support that is sending physical aid, that is also needed (I think Los Angeles sent a rapid response team). I'd check online (though a few I know are Hope for Haiti, Partners in Health, Catholic Relief Services, among others).
In Les Cayes, things are gearing up for continuing to receive the displaced and injured. The hospital is already swamped despite being 140 miles away from PAP. The UN, CRS, Rotary Club and others are mobilizing to erect a temporary city for the displaced. Many here have donated additional clothing or money to PAP through their churches or the radio station, and Red Cross is holding a big blood drive. But Les Cayes is not without it's share of challenges. Gas is becoming short... which effects not only transportation, but electricity. So we expect that general electricity will be replaced by generators in many sections of the city... and the batteries that are already in place. This means we'll likely be moving from our cushy location soon... and will update you as soon as that happens.
Currently, we are trying to help and consider options with a fairly mobilized group of American engineers and missionaries. We are uncertain if we still have the option to head for PAP soon, but we at least know where and who to work with if we do.
In the meantime, I just literally received our first text of any kind in two days just a few minutes ago. We still expect communication to be difficult... but if the lines get fully re-established, we may be able to add more time and communicate with the phone tree as we are able (again, things are very busy here in gathering information, remaining prepared, and providing what little help we can while we do so).
So... please know that Jess and I are still safe and I will post again, if the internet gods are willing.
Read more!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Useful Resource for Haiti Earthquake Updates
I know this is on Lee's blog, but http://haiti.ushahidi.com is a really good website that is constantly being updated with the earthquake updates (e.g., infrastructure and communication status, epicenter mapping, etc.). This site is updated by a group of volunteer crisis mappers that we have been communicating with... and they have also set up an international number for people in Haiti to help identify who is in trouble and where they are:
+44 762 480 2524.
So if you are in direct contact with people in Haiti, please pass the number along! As for our status in Cayes, more later today! Read more!
+44 762 480 2524.
"We would be forever grateful if you could share this number with as many people in Haiti as possible and let them know that this is one way to identify who is in trouble and where they are so that response operations has them on their radar. The site has already been publicized by the Clinton Foundation, UNDP and we’re expecting CNN to cover this as well. Plus, we’ve got 200+ members on the CrisisMappers Google Group who are desperately looking for real-time information so they can plan their response operations accordingly."
So if you are in direct contact with people in Haiti, please pass the number along! As for our status in Cayes, more later today! Read more!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Les Cayes Limbo
Over the past 15 hours, we have learned a lot but are still staying put in Les Cayes for now. We've been able to glean many facts from a variety of sources... friends and family abroad, as well as a surprising amount via email with people throughout Haiti (and even in Port-au-Prince).
First, there's the basic facts (which I put up front because they speak to why we are staying put for now):
- Phones are worse than last night... but email/online communication seems to be solid.
- Many roads are impacted... but at least one road is passible so people can get out of the Southern Department (where we are) toward PAP and the rest of the country.
- The regional airport resumes some flights tomorrow (only domestic flights)... and it's booked solid for now.
- Financial institutions and most stores were closed today... though I did have a chance to go grocery shopping.
So basically, Les Cayes is okay... but today it operated like it was Sunday. I want to make this clear before anyone worries too much about us.
Of course, even more important are the people. We are lucky that as far as we know the organizations we have partnered with have had no fatalities. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for their loved ones. In fact, many from our part of the country are just trying to get a hold of their families in Port-au-Prince. We've tried to do what we can to help... but it's extremely difficult to connect with the capital... unless you know someone with internet.
Our connections have told us of the great devastation first-hand:
- The injured in the US Embassy... some who have spent hours to dig themselves free with broken legs and are awaiting evacuation...
- The hundreds bedded down for the night in a hotel parking lot because there is no other place to go...
- The basic necessity of clearing bodies before they become a problem in days to come...
As you may gather, there has been little to do but try to collect information. International aid organizations are still figuring out their game plans and so very little is moving around within the country, as far as I can tell.
In the meantime, we are safe and sound. And we won't know about our return until it is determined when commercial flights can resume. Just be aware that we have been able to contact our travel insurance company and to register at the embassy (thanks to those who helped).
Our new friend here (who was ironically State-side for an exam when all this happened) is keeping a blog of his time in Haiti with some useful links (take a bow, Lee): http://leeinhaiti.com/
So check that if you want some news links. If you want further personal impressions... that'll just have to wait for another time.
But keep the emotional support coming... we definitely appreciate it.
-Ryan
Read more!
First, there's the basic facts (which I put up front because they speak to why we are staying put for now):
- Phones are worse than last night... but email/online communication seems to be solid.
- Many roads are impacted... but at least one road is passible so people can get out of the Southern Department (where we are) toward PAP and the rest of the country.
- The regional airport resumes some flights tomorrow (only domestic flights)... and it's booked solid for now.
- Financial institutions and most stores were closed today... though I did have a chance to go grocery shopping.
So basically, Les Cayes is okay... but today it operated like it was Sunday. I want to make this clear before anyone worries too much about us.
Of course, even more important are the people. We are lucky that as far as we know the organizations we have partnered with have had no fatalities. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for their loved ones. In fact, many from our part of the country are just trying to get a hold of their families in Port-au-Prince. We've tried to do what we can to help... but it's extremely difficult to connect with the capital... unless you know someone with internet.
Our connections have told us of the great devastation first-hand:
- The injured in the US Embassy... some who have spent hours to dig themselves free with broken legs and are awaiting evacuation...
- The hundreds bedded down for the night in a hotel parking lot because there is no other place to go...
- The basic necessity of clearing bodies before they become a problem in days to come...
As you may gather, there has been little to do but try to collect information. International aid organizations are still figuring out their game plans and so very little is moving around within the country, as far as I can tell.
In the meantime, we are safe and sound. And we won't know about our return until it is determined when commercial flights can resume. Just be aware that we have been able to contact our travel insurance company and to register at the embassy (thanks to those who helped).
Our new friend here (who was ironically State-side for an exam when all this happened) is keeping a blog of his time in Haiti with some useful links (take a bow, Lee): http://leeinhaiti.com/
So check that if you want some news links. If you want further personal impressions... that'll just have to wait for another time.
But keep the emotional support coming... we definitely appreciate it.
-Ryan
Read more!
HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE - SAFE
Jessica and I are safe, but trying to figure out the status of our return.
Dear Family and Friends,
Here's the short news: we are fairly far from Port-au-Prince and are still safe and sound in Haiti. Phone connections are still bad and email is a better bet for now.
We are trying to assess the roads back to PAP and whether the airport is operational... so we hope to have another update later today. But for now, we are also worried about our colleagues, many who have family in PAP and one who was traveling there during the earthquake.
Please keep us and everyone here in Haiti in your thoughts and prayers. For now, I will leave you with an email from last night I sent to many but realized I should've sent to many more:
"Dear Family and Friends,
"I have received many emails from most of you... or have communicated with each of you since I have landed in Haiti 9 days ago. I have tried to contact your sooner, but internet access is extremely spotty as I hope you will understand.
"If you have not heard yet, a series of earthquakes hit Haiti in the last few hours... the largest of them was 7.3 on the richter scale and cause much devastation in Port-au-Prince (where I think most of the earthquakes and aftershocks were centered).
"Please know that I am safe, as is Jessica (my traveling partner), and my Haitian co-workers I have since talked to. We are located in Les Cayes, which is far away enough that I have not heard of any immediate damage in our vicinity.
"If you are trying to call our cell phone, the towers are out... but when it resumes, our number is +509 3 816 0736.
"In the meantime, we do not know the full extent of the damage in Port-au-Prince or if this changes our plans in any way. We had not planned to return that way until Saturday... but if anything DOES change, I promise to email you all.
"Thanks for the concern and keep the good vibes coming our way.
"Love, Ryan"
. Read more!
Dear Family and Friends,
Here's the short news: we are fairly far from Port-au-Prince and are still safe and sound in Haiti. Phone connections are still bad and email is a better bet for now.
We are trying to assess the roads back to PAP and whether the airport is operational... so we hope to have another update later today. But for now, we are also worried about our colleagues, many who have family in PAP and one who was traveling there during the earthquake.
Please keep us and everyone here in Haiti in your thoughts and prayers. For now, I will leave you with an email from last night I sent to many but realized I should've sent to many more:
"Dear Family and Friends,
"I have received many emails from most of you... or have communicated with each of you since I have landed in Haiti 9 days ago. I have tried to contact your sooner, but internet access is extremely spotty as I hope you will understand.
"If you have not heard yet, a series of earthquakes hit Haiti in the last few hours... the largest of them was 7.3 on the richter scale and cause much devastation in Port-au-Prince (where I think most of the earthquakes and aftershocks were centered).
"Please know that I am safe, as is Jessica (my traveling partner), and my Haitian co-workers I have since talked to. We are located in Les Cayes, which is far away enough that I have not heard of any immediate damage in our vicinity.
"If you are trying to call our cell phone, the towers are out... but when it resumes, our number is +509 3 816 0736.
"In the meantime, we do not know the full extent of the damage in Port-au-Prince or if this changes our plans in any way. We had not planned to return that way until Saturday... but if anything DOES change, I promise to email you all.
"Thanks for the concern and keep the good vibes coming our way.
"Love, Ryan"
. Read more!
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