Maine nonprofit looks to help earthquake victims in Haiti
FALMOUTH (WGME) -- A Maine-based nonprofit supporting the healthcare system in Haiti is looking for ways to help Haitian hospitals now treating people injured in the earthquake.
Rupal Ramesh Shah heads the Falmouth-based Konbit Sante, which means coming together for health.
Haiti's troubled history may slow aid to earthquake victims
The nonprofit supports four hospitals in Haiti at a time when hospitals there are overwhelmed with earthquake survivors.
"As you can imagine, Haiti is a small island, so everyone is impacted in some way or another. We have family and friends there."
She's already talking with people at the four hospitals they partner with about sending doctors and nurses to assist facilities near the earthquake's epicenter in the south.
"They may be able to send residents or clinicians down to Haiti and then we want to help them with either logistics or transport, and see what we can do."
One hospital they partner with could also help badly injured survivors.
"They actually take patients who have rehab and spinal cord injuries, so we'll be communicating with them to see what we can do with them."
They'll also try to send much-needed medical supplies to the island.
Understanding why Haiti is prone to devastating earthquakes
"Obviously there's a need for supplies. Even things like sutures and gauze, just basic first aid supplies are going to be in demand. We have a warehouse here where we often send supplies. It's been tough to send shipments."
She says the supply chain is tough due, in part, to the pandemic and lack of leadership in Haiti after the assassination of its president.
"I would hope people will pray for Haiti, support Haiti and really reach out to organizations that are doing work on the ground, like ours and others, and find active ways to contribute."
Tonight, the Konbit Sante Board meets to put together a plan to help earthquake victims in Haiti.
If you'd like to help, you can send a donation to either Konbit Sante or the Red Cross.
