Medical professionals, engineers, security persons, clergy, social workers and therapists are needed for two-week rotations to Jacmel, Haiti beginning February 11th. Medical supplies, from antacids to x-ray machines, are also urgently needed. Donors are needed to make tax-deductible donations to cover volunteer expenses ($2,600/volunteer) and to provide frequent flyer miles to bring volunteers to Miami.
What began as a simple ad on the Rhode Island Craigslist site asking to share costs to Haiti two days after the earthquake quickly spread through social media. As a result, within three weeks, "Flight to Crisis" has become an organization of 160 volunteers, ages 19 to 61, from Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Israel, the Ukraine and the United States, who are ready to participate in two-week rotations to Haiti. Thanks to www.freeconference.com the group has had several international teleconferences to meet, address concerns and needs, and make arrangements for their trips.
The 34 year-old organizer of the group, Laz Pujol, lived three blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11. He vividly recalls how his neighborhood served as a morgue. He also remembers how people came together to help in that time of need. Pujol had been to Haiti, and he knew he had to do something after the earthquake. He believed that one person could make a difference, so he placed an ad on Craigslist. That ad was soon posted on a Haiti volunteer Web site, and then picked up on www.tonic.com Meanwhile the ad was posted on www.idealist.org and linked to Huffington Post.
Jesse Ferguson contacted Pujol from Canada and offered to coordinate volunteers and security. Steve Crow offered to handle the necessary documentation and vetting of the professional volunteers. Amber Sharick took on the role of project manager, handling finances, logistics and the schedule. Camille, a Haitian woman in California, came on board. Karen Carr of the Community Coalition for Haiti (CCH) in Jacmel offered connections with organizations in need of staff relief in Haiti, on-the-ground assessment of current needs, a place for the FTC teams to set up camp, and a way for donors to safely provide funding. USAID staff helped Pujol make a number of helpful connections, including connections with a State Department-approved security team. Others spoke to FEMA on behalf of FTC's mission. Pujol was even able to confer with the UN Health Cluster at the Port Au Prince airport.
Pujol initially envisioned "Flight to Crisis" as "an ad-hoc group of people coming together to provide on-ground support with necessary skills in rotation, relieving those who are there long-term, bringing supplies, and working with charities already there who are very overwhelmed." As FTC's leadership has expanded, so has the group's potential to develop into a long-term, organized network that sets up while first responders are doing their work, and then brings in professional teams that can bring expertise for the duration of a crisis.
According to Carr, at this time most of the trauma injuries in Haiti have been addressed. In Jacmel, the focus is now on primary care needs such as wound dressing, eye care, and OB/GYN care. Next week specialists will be needed -- in particular, ophthalmologists, and plastic and vascular surgeons. The need for nurses continues to be acute. CCH continues to collect and distribute medical supplies to groups and hospitals in their area.
Here's how you can help:
Volunteers Needed
Supplies Needed
Donors needed
Approximately 25 percent of the 160 volunteers, including five who are willing to go on the first two-week rotation February 11, are professionals who are currently unemployed. They have the time to give, but are unable to come up with the $2,600 needed to cover trip costs from Miami. They are asking friends, holding fundraisers, and selling belongings to raise money.
Financial donations can be made through Community Coalition for Haiti at: www.cchaiti.org On the website, choose "Donate for Earthquake Relief." When you are routed to the secure server, choose "on behalf of" and then type in "Flight to Crisis" to benefit other volunteers or to provide transportation costs for medical supplies. Donations of any amount are most welcome, and 100% of all donations is tax-deductible. For over 20 years, this Northern Virginia NGO has been partnering with Haitian community groups who determine the priorities for their development and support needs. CCH then facilitates connections with international groups such as Rotary International. Major emphases are medical care, education, economic development and agricultural training. Donations of any amount are most welcome, and 100 percent of donations are tax-deductible.
To donate frequent flyer miles, contact: relief@flighttocrisis.org
Keep the "Flight to Crisis" vision alive on social media, and let people know about these opportunities to work with the people of Haiti. Whatever you can do will be greatly appreciated.
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