Hurricane Matthew: Update

I just got off a satellite call with our team in Fond des Blancs, and Hurricane Matthew is taking a heavy toll. The hospital has sustained minimal damage so far, but we are hearing reports from around Fond des Blancs and throughout the region of many houses damaged or destroyed, and major washouts on the roads.  Once the storm abates and staff can move safely, HEI/SBH will be doing a full assessment of damage to the community and the hospital, as well as our clinic in Villa. We are mobilizing and will be ready to play a significant role in relief efforts in southern Haiti.

For now, we know the nearby spring at Dugue, where most of the Fond des Blancs community gets its water, has flooded 20-25 feet above its normal levels. That cuts off access to clean water for the town and hospital, and completely blocks the road to the national highway and Port-au-Prince beyond it.

We have stockpiled enough food and water for several days, but our priority once the storm ebbs will be opening up the road and getting a supply of food, clean water, medicine and supplies in for our patients, staff, and the community. We also expect large numbers of patients to arrive seeking care as soon as the roads are passable.

Thank you to so many of you who have reached out to express your concern and support over the past few days. We are also grateful that the press has been covering this story and our work in Haiti:

• Channel 5 in Boston did a story on HEI/SBH and the hurricane last night. 
• Simón Rios from WBUR (Boston’s NPR station) did a piece for All Things Considered in Boston that will run this evening.
• Reporters from the Boston Globe and Boston Herald have been talking to HEI/SBH staff. Keep an eye out for these articles in the next couple of days.
• BBC Radio 5 included us in their coverage of Hurricane Matthew tonight.

We are particularly concerned about cholera and other waterborne diseases in the aftermath of the flooding, food security, and rebuilding key infrastructure that allows people to access the hospital.

Your generous gift now is vital to equipping us for the recovery work ahead. Because of a generous match offered from key supporters, any donation made over the next 48 hours will be matched, doubling your impact in helping the people of Haiti. Please donate now.