Dear Friends,
As a full-blown security crisis continues to unfold in Haiti, I am writing to provide an update on the situation at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer.
The crisis has escalated dramatically this week with widespread unrest and violence in Port-au-Prince and in many other cities all over Haiti.
Roads are blocked, tires are burning. Rocks are being thrown. There is sporadic shooting. Mobs are in some streets while others are eerily silent.
It is a dangerous and difficult situation which is having an impact far outside of the capital and has paralyzed much of the country.
Fuel is a major concern, not just pricing which has already tripled, but also the precarious fuel supply. In general, inflation is up 30% over last year. These are hard times for families and institutions throughout the country.
Hospitals all over Haiti have been forced to close or limit services due to safety concerns and fuel issues.
Despite the challenges our determined HAS team has held steady and has continued to provide emergency hospital services 24/7.
Our hospital remains open and our two largest health centers are fully open as well. The closure of so many health centers means that we have been absorbing the waves of extra patients coming from far and wide. In addition, our oxygen producing plant supplied by USAID has been working 24/7 to supply the surrounding clinics which are still operational but completely cut off from their usual oxygen supplies.
These unexpected expenses have hit us hard and it is thanks to your continued support that we have been able to step up.
Your support means everything to HAS and the people we serve, in good times and in the most challenging times.
Thank you for considering helping us in this deeply challenging time.
Sincerely,
Jean Marc de Matteis, Chief Executive Officer
P.S. For more information on the crisis in Haiti, please click here for the very latest Miami Herald article from Jacqueline Charles