FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 15, 2021
Heart to Heart International medical team in Haiti responding to 7.2 earthquake
LENEXA, Kan. – In response to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Saturday, August 14, 2021 Heart to Heart International (HHI) immediately deployed a team of Haitian doctors and nurses to the affected areas.
The team will be in the impacted communities by Monday to assess needs, meet with local community partners, distribute hygiene kits and treat patients. More supplies and team members will be sent as needs are determined.
HHI has had a presence in Haiti since the earthquake in 2010 with a Haitian team that focuses on healthcare and disaster preparedness and provides outpatient and family medicine at clinics throughout the country.
“Heart to Heart International-Haiti is uniquely qualified and prepared to respond to this earthquake because the team is already in the country and able to reach the affected areas almost immediately,” said Kim Carroll, president and CEO of Heart to Heart International.
Many of the staff members have family in the most impacted areas. In addition to the loss of life, the team is sending reports of thousands of destroyed homes and buildings, landslides over major roads, incredibly damaged infrastructure and strong potential for disease and other health concerns because of unsanitary water supplies.
The HHI-Haiti medical team has experience in disaster response. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, an all-Haitian medical team from HHI deployed to Puerto Rico to treat patients in the rural mountain region. The team was successful because they had previous personal experience recovering from natural disasters.
This earthquake is sandwiched between Tropical Storm Fred, which passed over northern Haiti earlier this week, and Tropical Storm Grace, which is on track to pass over Haiti in the coming days. This also is on top of the recent turmoil of President Jovenel Moise’s assassination five weeks ago.
To help those impacted by the earthquake, donate here.
Heart to Heart International is a nonprofit international health organization with its headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas. Since its inception in 1992, HHI has delivered medical aid and supplies worth $2.2 billion to more than 130 countries, including within the United States. HHI responds to natural disasters both domestically and internationally by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers. The organization is a 4-star Charity Navigator charity and is on the “Philanthropy 400.” To learn more, visit hearttoheart.org.
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