1/15 ASTHO update
UPDATE FROM ASTHO (1/15):
Response Efforts
Challenges in Response Effort
Donations
Q&A
HHS has indicated that this is a rapidly changing event and that at this time, no specific number of fatalities are being reported.
Response Efforts: (the highlighted bullets are important to note)
USAID is supporting the Haiti National response. The National Response Framework is being followed. DoD has deployed considerable assets, taken control of the airport and established air traffic control.DoD has Naval ships in route: USS Baton and Comfort (21 Jan 2010 arrival) are moving to Haiti.
FEMA has deployed 4 USAR units
Coast Guard is involved in getting US Citizens back to the United StatesCDC has posted a travel advisory against travel to Haiti and using CDC info to track callsNDMS has been activated 319 individuals involvedEquipment caches have and will continue to be deployedIMT going down
2 DMAT down and 2 more DMAT in route5 C-5 air transports, with tens of thousands of tons of material being deployed
International surgical team, DMORT team deployed, more on callUSPHS and CDC teams are on standby for PH and environmental health issues
Donation management is a major issue currently. Only one airfield, items must be prioritized and staged.Fueling issues of greatest concern at the airport and a lack of space for the material.Spontaneous deployment is a problem. Absence of infrastructure means that assistance must be self sustainable. Security remains a major concern.Go through appropriate government channels to provide aid: http://www.cidi.org registration form for material and personnel
Monetary donations are the preferred method of assistance - http://www.interaction.org
Large donations of personnel or supplies can be offered via email at: cip@hhs.gov
Many federal assets have been activated for deployment and not yet sent.
SNS has not been activated; supplies have come from NDMS and DMAT caches.HCA is gathering monetary donations, has supplies staged but not yet able to deploy.Haitian health care was so fragile to begin with; the response must create some basic infrastructure.
Long term, multiyear response
Receipt of patients or long term care facilities not currently plannedUS citizens and non-US citizens needing care will be the priority through NDMS for transport to the United States.
State of Florida has begun work on receipt of evacuees, 5 patients have been transported. 7 hospitals are being examined for bed availability. No federal plans for relocation at present.Issues with the CIDI website. 703-276-1914This would be a good time to stress enrollment in ESAR-VHP or MRC programs. Although there are no current plans for deployment through that program.South Florida is experiencing an outpouring of concern from residents concerned about family members.
Haiti has many poor infrastructure issues so getting capacity where it is needed and dealing with logistics is a big challenge. Also, the response needs are great and currently the search and rescue needs are great.
There are capacity and other issues at the airport making it a chokepoint in getting to Haiti.
USAID and the Department of State are working with the Haitian government to determine their needs and coordinate resource donations with HHS and other federal agencies.
USAID has decision making power in assessing what is needed from the U.S. government, which government agencies will support the response efforts, and what resources will go out.
HHS has activated the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) and have on hand 12,000 personnel available for deployments, many of which have technical knowledge and are familiar with dealing with austere conditions.
300 of these personnel have been deployed to date.
HHS is receiving significant interest from individuals and organizations volunteering to donate to Haiti relief efforts.
Monetary donations are the most needed at this time to support response efforts. Please go to the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) at www.cidi.org to donate to organizations that are working on the response or text "HAITI" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross.
There will be a need for other resources in the future so these resources can be cataloged on the CID I Web site.
Volunteers can also go to the CIDI Web site to register. Self-deployment to Haiti and deployment of any material that is not requested are not recommended due to the infrastructure issues there.
For large corporations and other entities that can provide large resources, an email box (helphaiti@state.gov) is available to record these resources.
Resources should be made available through the proper channels.
Q&A
Q: What is the difference between the Web sites on other government sites and the CIDI Web site? Is the CIDI Web site only for organizations?
A: All government Web sites will funnel interested donors and volunteers to the CIDI Web site. CIDI Web site is open to individuals and organizations. The email box, helphaiti@state.gov, is for any questions on the response.
Q: After trying to login to the CIDI Web site, it appears to be down. Is there anything being done about this?
A: Yes, due to the traffic it is receiving, the CIDI Web site has gone down sporadically and appears to have some technical issues. HHS will work with USAID to resolve these issues and still encourage partners to use it.
Q: Can Rx Response prepare a specific list of drugs that they can make available?
A: Yes, this could be very helpful. Please follow-up to the email box, helphaiti@state.gov.
Q: A lot of Haitian doctors and nurses would like to directly help in the response effort but want to do this in a coordinated way. What is the best way to do so?
A: Thank you. Please email cip@hhs.gov for further discussion on how this can be done.
Q: The Funeral Directors Association is currently assessing resources that can be sent, and would also like to make a monetary donation, is there a separate fund for this?
A: Not aware of a separate fund for this. The Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORTs) are currently on standby. Large resources available for donation can be placed on the CID Web site to be catalogued and monetary donations can be made to the organizations on the site.
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