cbm Canada - Making a Difference in the Lives of Haitians

Stouffville, ON, July 12, 2010 – Six months ago, a 7.0 earthquake in Haiti  killed 230,000, injured 300,000 and left over a million people homeless. cbm Canada was able to respond during the initial critical period following the quake, thanks to local partner organizations on the ground.

“We are thankful for the many generous Canadians who have given hope to thousands of Haitians,” says Ed Epp, Executive Director, cbm Canada. “But our work is far from being finished. There is a monumental task ahead of us.”
 
For the past six months, cbm has been healing, rebuilding and transforming the lives of people with disabilities who were either injured from the earthquake or who had a disability before January 12th. Before the earthquake, it’s estimated more than 800,000 Haitians were living with a disability. Since the quake, that number has risen to over one million.

cbm has been working closely alongside other international aid organizations, including Handicap International (HI); collaborating with the Haitian Ministry of Health and the State Secretary (SEIPH) for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities; and leading a working group on Injury, Disability and Rehabilitation.

Hospital care, child care centres, community-based health facilities (Antenne Handicap) and advocacy have been cbm’s main focuses.

cbm’s work in Haiti – ensuring life and hope

Hospital Care Program

• In cooperation with HI, cbm has positioned 10 physio/occupational therapists along with 14 local rehabilitation technicians in Port-au-Prince. Staff treat injuries, prescribe and fit assistive devices, and provide education to patients and their families on the safe and appropriate use of the devices.

• To date, the hospital care program has provided 22,000 treatments to more than 1,600 people. cbm is currently in discussion with officials from the Ministry of Health regarding the establishment of a fund that would provide financial assistance for poorer residents of Port-au-Prince to access health care.

Child Care Centres

• Nearly 1,300 schools in Port-au-Prince were destroyed by the quake, including Centre d’Education Speciale (CES), a long-standing cbm partner that served children with disabilities.
 
• Together in partnership with the Canadian Christian Children’s Fund, cbm is providing tents and supplies for six child care day care centres for children with and without a disability. There, young children have a safe place to play, receive an education and have access to rehabilitative care or other medical services.

• To date, cbm has opened six new centres for children. Plans are underway for an additional four new centres to open this fall.

Community-Based Health Facilities

• In partnership with HI and the State Secretariat for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, cbm has set up nine Antenne Handicap (community–based health facilities).

• Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other health care staff serve as liaisons between people with disabilities who are newly released from the hospital, return to their families and require assistance in rebuilding their lives in the community.

• The Antenne staff informs survivors of rehabilitation services available and identify patients in need of further medical or rehabilitative care. Much needed psychosocial support is given to survivors who have experienced emotional trauma.

• The need is now shifting from earthquake-related clients to untreated pre-quake clients. To date, the Antenne program has reached almost 7,200 people providing 27,000 treatments. Plans are underway to expand the Antenne program to areas outside of Port-au-Prince.

Advocacy Program

• The advocacy program aims to strengthen capacities of local, community-based Disabled People’s Organization (DPOs) in order to influence the development and implementation of public policies ensuring the inclusion and accessibility of people living with a disability in all aspects of rebuilding and reconstruction. This project is implemented in partnership with the Haitian State Secretariat for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (SEIPH).

“Canadians should be encouraged that their gifts to Haiti are making a difference,” says Epp. “cbm has saved many lives and is providing long-term rehabilitation and care for people with injuries and disabilities. Our goal is for these vulnerable people to be fully integrated into their communities. Funding for our work now and in the future is still vital; cbm will continue to help people with disabilities in Haiti for the long run.”

To help those in need in Haiti, contact cbm Canada at 1-800-567-2264, or donate online:  www.cbmcanada.org.

A leading international Christian humanitarian organization, cbm works to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. 

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For more information, contact:

Sandy Hazell
National Media Coordinator
cbm Canada
shazell@cbmcanada.org
(905) 640-6466 ext 246;
1-800-567-2264 ext 246
(416) 302-3166 (cell)