TEAR Fund Getting Around Haiti’s Aid Bottleneck

TEAR Fund Partners Getting Around Haiti’s Aid Bottleneck

While many aid agencies have been troubled by the bottleneck of critical aid and supplies, TEAR Fund NZ’s partners quickly moved to establish its own supply lines.

Stephan Bauman of World Relief, one of TEAR Fund’s integral Alliance members, reported earlier this morning that because they had been in the country for many years they had established distribution networks in place.

“We have connections three-hours away in the nearby Dominican Republic and have been flying in supplies regularly, thanks to some pilots who have volunteered to help. We have a good supply of fuel which we are sharing with other Integral Alliance members, and we are expecting another shipment of medical supplies including digital X-ray machines and some specialist orthopaedic equipment to help the many who are being treated.” He said they had three operating theatres running around the clock.

Food and water were also critical and World Relief was feeding between 8000 and 9000 people every day, he said. “This is growing everyday as our distribution through churches is not being hampered by violent elements within the community.”

Mr Bauman was in Haiti just after the quake struck and things were very different now. “Initially it was eerie; there was virtually nobody there helping as the Haitian people mourned their dead. Dr. Hubert Morquette country director for World Relief Haiti, rolled up his sleeves immediately and began tending to the injured and dying.” Haiti was now teaming with aid workers and journalist but relief was still coming too slowly to some, he said.

ENDS

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