Dear Friend,
It's been one week since the devastating earthquake in Haiti. As I committed, I'm reporting back to you on MSF's activities to date.
As of yesterday, our teams in Port-au-Prince have provided emergency medical care to more than 3,000 people and performed over 400 surgeries. Open fractures, head injuries and seriously infected wounds are the most common injuries. Doctors and surgeons have extremely limited resources so they are focusing on patients with the gravest injuries. Hospitals that remain standing are filled with patients.
As you can imagine, MSF teams are still under great pressure, searching for more facilities to carry out urgent surgery and trying to get in more medical supplies. You can click here to read a blog from Isabelle Jeanson, one of our staff members in Port-au-Prince right now.
Part of our inflatable hospital arrived yesterday, and workers are erecting it as you read this. Two operating theatres that are part of the structure are scheduled to arrive later today. You can watch a video report with further information about this structure and MSF's logistical response by clicking here.
MSF is also travelling beyond the capital to extend medical aid to people there. In Jacmel, on the southern coast very close to the epicentre of the earthquake, over 60 per cent of the buildings are destroyed. The hospital is partially collapsed, but the operating theatre is still usable; teams will be working from there as soon as possible.
Medical supplies are being used up very quickly and replacing them is difficult due to blocked roads and restricted flights. Still, more than 160 new international staff have arrived since the quake and many of our Haitian staff continue to work despite the fact that they've suffered terrible losses themselves.
You can continue to help by forwarding this message or sharing it with your networks on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you again for your support and solidarity. Please check our website for the latest information and photo slideshows on MSF's emergency response; I'll continue to share further news with you in the coming weeks.
Marilyn McHarg
General Director, MSF Canada
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