Haiti Relief 
As you may know, the Center has had a close relationship with the people of Haiti for many years through various programs, including a volunteer student program formerly known as ‘Project Haiti’. Our students and faculty mentors continue to support the people of Haiti through the bi-annual Project Hispaniola medical missions to the Independencia Province of the Dominican Republic, where we provide free medical care to mostly mobile or displaced Haitians. This has been made possible by the continued support of generous donors and supporters of the Center and our global health programs and for this, we thank you.
Although Haiti, with support from the international community, has made great strides in the last two years, the country as a whole will continue to face challenges that they alone cannot address. One such challenge is the ongoing threat of cholera. In October 2010, nine months after the disastrous 7.0 earthquake struck, public health authorities reported the first cases of a cholera epidemic that quickly spread, resulting in over 555,000 confirmed cases and over 7,200 deaths. This year alone, as the rainy season begins and households continue to utilize unprotected sources of water and practice unsafe defecation practices, experts estimate that upwards of 170,000 new cases of cholera could be diagnosed. Now, after an absence of over a century, cholera is now expected to remain endemic in Haiti until the underlying structural, behavioral and social conditions are addressed. This situation poses not only an ongoing threat to the development and stability of an already fragile country, but a significant regional public health threat due to the migratory patterns of Haitians and Dominicans. This has already been demonstrated by the more than 7,500 cases reported in the Dominican Republic, and the 23 cases imported from the Dominican Republic to the US in 2011.
While a ban on official travel to Haiti remains in effect due to safety and security issues, we are very excited to report that our efforts to mitigate against the continued spread of cholera in the Dominican Republic have now reached Haiti. In March 2012, the CMHE, in collaboration with the Children of the Nation’s organization and the Universidad Iberoamericana , and with support from the Christ is Our Salvation Foundation, began the first ever Community Health Clubprogram in Latin American or the Carribbean. [Please visit the Spotlight on Global Health for more information about this project.] The goal of this program, which has been proven effective at mitigating against the spread of cholera in Zimbabwe, is to contribute to a reduction in water, sanitation and hygiene related conditions and lay a sustainable foundation for community-based health and development. In addition to the 6 Dominican facilitators trained to implement this program, were 3 leaders of the Port au Prince ECOClub, a Pan American Health Organization supported youth mobilization and development program with international membership.
Since the March 2012 training workshop, these 3 Haitian leaders have returned to Haiti and have started their own Community Health Clubs to begin addressing cholera in high risk, urban communities in Port au Prince. To date they have created 7 Community Health Clubs in 7 urban communities of Port au Prince, with a total combine membership as of June 2012 of 275 people. All without financial support from the CMHE or PAHO; or an official agreement between the Health Science Center and the EcoClubs. This is an exciting development and we are currently exploring potential donors to support this motivated group of community leaders in their efforts to effect change within their own country and opportunities for additional collaborations to further expand this promising approach to community mobilization and health education throughout Haiti.
Update: 01-27-10 - Dr. Curiel is keeping a blog on the KSAT web page. Read his updates from Haiti at http://www.ksat.com/news/22333638/detail.html.
Update: 01-23-10 - Dr. Tyler Curiel has landed safely in JimanÃ, and both he and Dr. Berggren are doing well. We thank everyone who contributed supplies and funds for their trip. Dr. Curiel was also able to bring donated goodie bags for children displaced by the earthquakes, and these have been a big hit with kids and adults alike - especially the lollipops.
Update: 01-20-10 - Many have inquired as to the status in JimanÃ, where Dr. Berggren is, after the major aftershock in Port-au-Prince this morning. She is fine, and services are uninterrupted. They did not feel anything there. They are slowly getting increases in supplies and personnel, but remain overwhelmed. Donated funds to Project Haiti are currently being used to purchase supplies and medication per the request of Dr. Berggren, and will be taken to her on January 22nd. Thank you again.
Update: 01-18-10 - Dr. Berggren is safely in JimanÃ, on the Dominican border with Haiti and is hard at work. There is no concern for her personal safety, and she has food and shelter.We ask that you do not call, text or e-mail her directly, as battery supply is low, and time is short. Messages can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and we will continue to update you on her status. Dr. Tyler Curiel plans to join her in Haiti January 22.
Update: 01-15-10 - Dr. Berggren is leaving for Haiti at 6 PM with Remote Area Medical, a non-profit, volunteer, airborne relief corps dedicated to serving mankind by providing free care, services, technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world. She is expected to serve in rural areas of Haiti for two weeks. The Center wishes to thank all of those who have donated to Project Haiti and assisted Dr. Berggren as she prepares for her trip, especially HEB for their generous donation of life-saving supplies.
