I applaud every citizen and organization that is attempting to help the people of Haiti. For most Americans and Europeans this event is unimaginable. We must do all that we can. The following is Mayo Clinic’s public response to the disaster in Haiti:
Financial contribution
Mayo Clinic will give $500,000 to agencies working in Haiti that specialize in international disaster relief and that are highly rated for their efficiency and effectiveness. Humanitarian organizations and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) indicate that financial contributions are the best way to support recovery and relief efforts at this time. They allow relief agencies to purchase items most needed by the Haitian people and to distribute them most effectively. Financial contributions also help these agencies develop the infrastructure to support recovery efforts and facilitate medical assistance.
Assistance with medical personnel
Mayo is in regular contact with the USAID and nongovernmental agencies with a presence in Haiti to determine how Mayo Clinic staff may be able to assist with recovery efforts in the weeks to come. Mayo Clinic is working with these groups to develop plans to send teams of medical personnel, so the institution can respond quickly when asked for assistance. Mayo is identifying individuals with specific expertise and with experience in international disaster relief to form these teams.
The infrastructure in the country is fragile and at present is unable to support an influx of volunteers, which would become an additional burden for aid agencies already in the country. According to the USAID, volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are extremely rare, and are usually limited to people with prior disaster experience and with technical expertise in emergency response. For its efforts, Mayo will work through organizations with a presence in Haiti and infrastructure to support medical assistance.
Accepting patients from Haiti
Mayo Clinic is prepared to accept patients from Haiti as requested, as it has in other cases of disaster response. At this time, no patients have been sent to Mayo locations. Mayo Clinic in Florida is in regular contact with other hospitals in Florida to coordinate efforts in that state.
Medical supplies
Mayo Clinic also is working with humanitarian organizations to determine the need for medical supplies. These groups have indicated that monetary contributions are the best way to support relief efforts at this time. This allows them to purchase the exact types and quantity of items needed by the people of Haiti. Logistical difficulties and a lack of infrastructure are currently making distribution of supplies extremely difficult in the country. Mayo will continue to take stock of medical supplies that are available and may be beneficial in assisting relief agencies, and will develop plans to distribute those supplies as requested.
Next steps
Mayo will continue to communicate regularly with the USAID, Red Cross, American Refugee Committee and others to determine how the institution and Mayo staff can best help the people of Haiti. Mayo’s Disaster Relief Steering Committee coordinates Mayo’s institutional response. This group includes and is in contact with people with experience working in Haiti and in other international disaster relief efforts.
The Disaster Relief Steering Committee will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to staff.
