HAITI - June 12, 2023 - Haiti Air Ambulance (HAA), the leading provider of emergency air ambulance services and disaster relief in Haiti, swiftly responded to the powerful earthquake that struck the region on June 6, 2023. With a magnitude of over 5 on the Richter scale, the earthquake followed severe flooding caused by a tropical storm over the weekend. Preliminary reports of impact show a devastating toll, with 51 confirmed deaths, 18 individuals still missing, 140 wounded, and 825 houses seriously damaged.
In the wake of this catastrophe, HAA has been at the forefront of emergency response efforts. Haiti Air Ambulance provided a general trauma rescue in Jeremie, triaged a middle-aged male onsite for a broken hip and head fracture, and transported the patient to Hopital Bernard Mevs in Port-au-Prince. While a typical HAA flight would take just 20 minutes, this patient’s transport took one full hour. Despite the challenges posed by the coastal differences between Jeremie and Port-au-Prince, the HAA team remained committed, ensuring the patient reached the appropriate medical facility for advanced care.
As recovery efforts continue, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of disaster preparedness and risk reduction. Haiti Air Ambulance strongly recommends following the American Red Cross's guidance on disaster preparedness to minimize the impact of various threats. These precautions include:
- Digging drainage ditches to prevent flooding and mitigate risk of further damage.
- Reinforcing shelters to withstand the impact of earthquakes and other natural disasters.
- First Aid training to equip individuals with life-saving skills in time of crisis.
- Stabilizing roads to ensure access to critical services and facilitate emergency response.
- Identifying evacuation routes and establishing emergency plans to ensure the safe evacuation of individuals in affected areas.
- Reinforcing embankments to prevent erosion and protect vulnerable communities from further harm.
Haiti Air Ambulance recognizes that in the aftermath of an earthquake, the need for trauma-related services is typically concentrated in the first few days. However, the weeks following such an event may still present life-threatening trauma scenarios that require immediate attention. The organization remains committed to serving the Haitian population, providing vital medical services and support during these challenging times.
About Haiti Air Ambulance:
Haiti Air Ambulance (HAA) is an established 501(c)(3) non-profit that has been in operation in Haiti since 2014. HAA operates the only medically equipped helicopter based in Haiti and is dedicated to making health care accessible to all of Haiti’s 11.5 million inhabitants. If you wish to learn more about the work of Haiti Air Ambulance and contribute to the organization’s disaster relief efforts, visit https://www.haitiairambulance.org/disaster-relief.
For more information about the work of Haiti Air Ambulance and to contribute to it, visit: www.haitiairambulance.org
Media Contact
Company Name: Haiti Air Ambulance
Contact Person: Marcia Lehman
Email: Send Email
Phone: 708-288-1544
Country: Haiti
Website: www.haitiairambulance.org
