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[bcholmes]

I was just on a conference call this afternoon with members of the Canada Haiti Action Committee. There were good and bad reports.

The first, most annoying item relates to the increasingly frustrating situation at the Haitian airport. The airport has essentially been taken over by the U.S. military, and they're giving priority to arriving military and departing foreigners. MSF, who suffered damage to their three local facilities, have had two shipments of medical equipment (including inflatable hospital facilities) turned back from the airport. Even when supplies are arriving, the U.S. won't let the materials be distributed without marine guards.

On the plus side, some of the positive stories involve Haitian organizations and organizations staffed with Haitians. Zanmi Lasante -- the Haitian organization run by Partners in Health -- has joined with the Cuban mission and they've taken over an unused building and are expanding their services quickly. My colleague, Roger, writes:

Zanmi is one of the largest health care delivery services in Haiti and its infrastructure was largely undamaged by the quake. It is staffed and managed by Haitians and has a full training program for Haitians to become doctors and other health professionals. Deliveries of equipment and personnel to its teams is seriously hampered by the situation at the P au P airport.

Lastly, the Aristide Foundation has established a medical facility, again in cooperation with Cuban doctors. In an ironic twist, the building that they're using was originally built under the Aristide government, and designated as a medical university. After the coup happened in 2004, the UN took it over as a troop residence. It's now acting in a medical capacity again. Haiti Action has been directing funding for efforts like this via their Haiti Emergency Relief Fund (HERF).

Some members of Canada Haiti Action believe (with cause, I think) that many Haitian-run organizations are taking on the lion's share of the work, but receiving the least amount of aid. I continue to believe in the groups that I previously recommended: MSF and Partners in Health. Sopudep and HERF are also really good places to direct contributions.