03 March, 2004
New York City, United States of America –
“A nation that has suffered so much throughout its 200-year existence is now going through these perilous times again. It is a sad day for humanity. It is the duty of all of us to respond and give a helping hand to the impoverished people of Haiti,” said Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director of the Batey Relief Alliance.
Please make a secure online tax-deductible money donation by clicking on our DonateNow or Paypal botton at www.bateyrelief.org. You may also mail your check or money order payable to Batey Relief Alliance at P.O. Box 300565, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230.
The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) is prepared to deliver more than $3.5 million in humanitarian aid to Haitian children and their families severely affected by the political crisis in Haiti. BRA has received from its donors seven 42-foot containers of medicines, emergency supplies, clothing and food supplement. The support came from Direct Relief International, Food for the Poor and Catholic Medical Mission Board.
BRA held an emergency meeting on February 24th in Santo Domingo gathering its local member organizations and partner government agencies discussing the dispatch of a medical team at the Haiti/Dominican Republic border (Mansanillo and Jimani) to provide emergency medical assistance, clothing and food supplements. “The humanitarian intervention is necessary and will start on March 15th to gradually intensify should the number of refugees increase,” said Maria Virtudes Berroa, Executive Director of BRA Dominicana.
The two main organizations that will operate with BRA in carrying out this project are FUNTOSALUD and Servicios Social de Iglesias Dominicana (SSID). Pastoral Haitiana and others will also participate in logistics. Makeshift clinics will be set up and volunteers mobilized to respond to the immediate medical needs of the affected population. “We understand that the number of Haitian refugees is relatively low at this time, but we are simply being prepared just in case a refugee crisis occurs,” added Gaillard.
Continued chaos and lack of fuel for electricity and water has forced the closure of most of Haiti’s hospitals and health centers, eight in Port-au-Prince alone. Road closures have stopped distribution of essential drugs and vaccines. The World Health Organization estimates 1.3 million Haitians have suffered as a result. Children, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases such as tuberculosis are at most risk.
Haiti’s health system, which relies on humanitarian aid, was suffering even before this recent crisis. AIDS is the leading cause of death followed by diarrhea and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines). The poorest country in the Americas, two-thirds live in poverty and almost half of all families share a one-room home.
We needs funds to defray the costs of logistics, logding and meals for our volunteers; a mobile clinic to deliver rapid medical care to several cities located near the border; and a double-cabin 4×4 pick up truck to transport supplies and personnel. Please contact Ulrick Gaillard at bra@bkreative.net or (917) 627-5026 to donate.
The Batey Relief Alliance has provided humanitarian health care to the people of Haiti living and working in the Dominican Republic’s bateyes, rural and urban slums and the border zones since 1998.
*Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas.
*Up to 33% of children are malnourished.
*One in ten children will die before their 5th birthday (13x U.S. rate).
*Only half of households have access to safe water.
*Life expectancy is 53 years and decreasing.
*30% live on less than 1 $US/day.
Source: World Health Organization
