On Monday December 14, 2021, a truck carrying gasoline exploded in northern Haiti, killing more than 50 people and injuring dozens of others, health officials are still counting deaths incurring as a result of this disaster, currently numbered at 140 people.Remaining true to its mission to “ Become effectively involved in issues and services relevant to the health and welfare of the community in Florida and abroad “ and one of its goals to Participate in Emergency Response Teams and Disaster Relief Efforts”, the Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida, Inc. (HANA), under the dynamic leadership of Mme President Rose Valcin, sprung into action to render aid to the hospital and clinic caring for most of these injured people. HANA’s International Affairs Committee (IAC) immediately mobilized our resources and partnership in Florida and Haiti to properly respond and render aid.
We first requested a medical assessment and a list of needs from Hôpital Justinien. We had a nurse partner, Renette Raphael RN, to visit the medical facilities and speak with the administrators and report back to us. HANA was advised of the need for medications and supplies specific to wound care. We purchased medications and supplies in Cap-Haitian and our HANA member on the ground, Marlene Dessources, BSN, RN was able to the make the delivery in a burn clinic in Bel-Air, Cap-Haitien. HANA also partnered with the Haitian American Pharmacists Association (HAPA) and sponsored by Primary Medical Care Center that enable us to purchase more medications and supplies in Port-au- Prince. Our newest collaborator, the College Notre Dame (CND) promotion 1986, facilitated the transfer of supplies and medications from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien, through the generous support of Sans Soucis Transport.
Furthermore, HANA has prepared boxes of medications, medical, hygiene supplies, toys and foods to ship to the affected medical facilities of Hôpital Justinien and the Burn Clinic in Bel-Air. We thank all our members, our partners, and donors who have made this timely response possible.About HANA
HANA is a 501(c) 3, non-profit membership organization, established since 1984. Alice Casimir and Jacqueline Dasque, two registered professional nurses practicing in Miami and other professionals, saw the need to establish an organization that would provide health care services to migrant workers in the Homestead, Florida area.
