Catholic Workers on the Ground in Haiti.....

by Update Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:51

1/29/10

Dear friends,

Another day is winding down. Before I go out to the tent, I decided
to send at least a little something like I said I would. Each day has
been this incredible combination of bearing witness to overwhelming
destruction, suffering and death. At the same time we are with people
who exhibit such courage, hope and faith. I am in awe of the
outpouring of compassion and help from all over the world. Yet, so
many people in these poor communities still have not received food,
water or tents for shelter. A priest from one of the local parishes
here in Port au Prince said,” The emergency medical relief is about
over, now everyone needs food, water and shelter.” He, along with
anyone we have spoken to, lives in fear of what will happen to the
people when the rains come. It is awful to think about; everyone is
living on the streets . A “fortunate few” have tents, but most are
living in makeshift “sheet tents” as Bill Quigley called them. We are
trying to get information about aid distribution and why it is not
reaching these communities.

We are trying to investigate what is being brought in because we have
seen no sign of food and water being distributed by anyone. People are
begging for tents. We understand that there are tents available, but
they are not being distributed because apparently the UN doesn't want
the people to stay in the city. They want them to go to organized
displaced persons camps outside of Port au Prince. For all of the
promises made by our administration to not abandon the Haitian people
in their hour of need, the Haitians are not exactly feeling the
support. This is most disturbing in light of all of the love,
compassion, support, and concern we witnessed from people all over the
country before we left.

Each day we have gone out to the neighborhood of Carre Dur, the
location of our future community health center. This community, near
the church of St. Claire, had not seen any health care providers since
the earthquake. Our community health agents organized in an amazingly
efficient and humbling way a “field clinic” consisting of a tent,
and a tarp. Exam rooms for privacy were created out of sheets. We saw
from 88 to 134 people each day. Some,wounded by the earthquake, still
had not had care: fractures, infected wounds, various kinds of trauma.
A young woman was brought to us who was extremely ill and had been
hemorrhaging for days. There was no possibility of care for her. We
were able to carry her in a sheet to the car and take her to the
“field hospital” here at Matthew 25 House. There she is receiving very
good care. She would have died without intervention. We saw a woman
who gave birth four days ago in a tent on a football field that has
been turned into a displaced persons camp. She explained that after
the baby was born another woman helped her cut the cord. Most likely
a lay midwife. Heartbreaking in an inexplicable way is looking into
the eyes of the elderly who have lost everything: their homes, meager
possessions, and children. There are so many stunned, grieving and
fear filled people.

The destruction of downtown Port au Prince is beyond imagination. It
is very sensational to see it on the news, but to see it up close,
smell the stench of death, and listen to the stories – while tears
flow - of who is under the rubble is another thing all together.

I woke up at 5:00 this morning to the sound of the people singing
songs of praise to Jesus. The dignity and the faith of the people
under such duress is yet another mind boggling aspect of the
experience of being here. Yesterday we went to St. Claire's church to
drop off medicines. As I walked to the door of the rectory, there were
about 60 women in the courtyard singing and praying the rosary. Our
health agents sang a song to open our meeting; they explained they
were singing for mercy and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Early this evening we saw the Sacre Coeur Church. It is totally
destroyed. However, the pre-standing Crucifix in front of the church
remains. It is a powerful symbol of the crucified Haitian people who
wait with hope, their resurrection. Despite all of the tragedy, you
don't feel a sense of desperation or see hysterical drama. The
Haitian people continue to pray, work hard and take care of each
other. May their and all our prayers be heard.

Sincerely,
Johanna Berrigan on behalf of Miriam Ford, Bishop Tom Gumbleton,
Colleen Kelly, Bill Quigley, Susan Rice

by from Bill Quigley Fri Feb 05, 2010 16:53

Haiti, Still Starving 23 Days Later
By BILL QUIGLEY

You can walk down many of the streets of Port au Prince and see absolutely no evidence that the world community has helped Haiti.
Twenty three days after the earthquake jolted Haiti and killed over 200,000 people, as many as a million people have still not received any international food assistance.

Article continued.......
http://www.counterpunch.org/quigley02052010.html

by from Bill Quigley Wed Feb 10, 2010 09:00

Haiti by the Numbers
27 Days After the Quake
by Bill Quigley

http://www.counterpunch.org/quigley02092010.html

by Report on return Sun Feb 14, 2010 00:36

Report from CW Nurse Johanna Berrigan on return from Haiti

http://thechristianradical.blogspot.com/2010/02/back-fr....html

by Report from Bill Quigley in Haiti Mon Feb 15, 2010 22:01

A Million Homeless in Haiti

http://www.counterpunch.org/quigley02152010.html

by Interviews Homeless from Bill Quigley Sun Feb 21, 2010 09:30

Living Under Green Plastic - Voices from Haiti's Homeless
from Bill Quigley

http://www.counterpunch.org/quigley02192010.html