This was forwarded by Dr. Bart Smoot from Maison de Naissance, the birthing center in Haiti supported by members St. Paul’s…
Dear Friends of Maison de Naissance,
Late this afternoon, a 7.0 + earthquake struck Haiti approximately 10 miles west of the capital city Port au Prince.
We write to reassure you that we have made contact with our staff at Maison de Naissance in Larnage, which is approximately 100 miles west of Port au Prince. Our staff and facility are safe!
To our current knowledge, the effects of the earthquake were minor in our area of service compared to the damage sustained in Port au Prince. There was shaking and creaking, but we are not aware of life threatening injuries or severe damage.
While we are grateful that our birthing home and staff are safe at this time, please remember that our staff has many family members and friends – and we have many friends – in the affected area. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Please feel free to share this information with others who have their hearts and minds with Maison de Naissance.
Again, we want to reassure you that our facility and staff are safe.
If you would like to follow further earthquake news and developments, we encourage you to visit www.news.google.com and search Haiti Earthquake or refer to a news source of your choice.
Sincerely,
Your Friends at the Maison de Naissance Foundation
The Maison de Naissance Foundation
Delivering Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies in Haiti
www.maisondenaissance.org
Here are more updates as they are sent to me…
Hi all,
A quick update from Les Cayes. I’ve had some news from the UN this morning about our area. There have been no casualties in the city, with 30 people brought to the hospital (HIC), mostly with minor injuries. 10 are in serious condition. In terms of infrastructure, there is very little damage. I’ve heard of just a couple houses that have collapsed. The earthquake here was strong enough to be frightening, but the shaking wasn’t too strong. I did not even lose my balance when walking across the floor to the doorway when it started. Right now we have electricity and internet, but phone systems are unreliable.
Overall, it’s a strangely average day, considering the news that is coming out of port au prince. The state of things here now makes me think we will not get a lot of medical cases that need to come to MN. HIC has the capacity to handle more cases. There are very few injuries here, and I don’t think that those who are injured from other places will travel all the way to Torbeck for medical care. I would say that we will likely have repercussions in terms of being able to source medication and other supplies in the weeks to come, but I don’t foresee an influx of maternity or non-maternity patients as a result of the earthquake. If you (as the board or as individuals) want to help the cause, I don’t think sending supplies to MN will be the most effective. The road between here and port au prince is out in three places, the last I heard, because of two bridges collapsing and one avalanche, so it would cost more than it’s worth to get supplies here from the States.
In short, it is likely, as Lindsey mentions below, that MN will experience financial consequences as a result of the earthquake, but it won’t be because of increased patient volume in the immediate future. I hope this helps to inform your discussion.
I do have some concern over a friend and previous priest at Torbeck: Pere Fanfan, who is currently priest in Carrenfour, near the epicenter. No word about Fanfan. Prayers will be appreciated. I am also trying to find out the status of Pere Sadoni.
I have seen from blog that the Bishop is alive, and the Cathedral and school collapsed. No word yet from the priest in Torbeck, but he was impossible to get hold of in good times!
–Bart
Another update…
Dear Friends in Christ:
We have devastating news to share with you from Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake yesterday. According to reports I have received here in Les Cayes, the damage in Port au Prince and areas around it is terrible.
There is no Cathedral. The entire Holy Trinity complex is gone. The convent for the Sisters of St. Margaret is gone. The Bishop's house is gone. College St. Pierre is gone. The apartment for College St. Pierre is still standing. Bishop no longer has a house in which to live.
In Trouin, four people were killed during a service.
In Grand Colline, the church is gone. In St Martin of Tours, the kindergarten is gone.
In St. Etienne Buteau the church, the rectory and the school are gone.
In Les Cayes, BTI is OK, but some people were injured trying to get out of the buildings during the quake. The rectory in Les Cayes is in very bad condition.
The Rev. Kesner Ajax
Executive Director, Bishop Tharp Institute (BTI)
8 Rue du Quai, Cayes
Tel. Office: 011-509-2286-4676
011-509-2286-4677
Mobile: 011-509-3445-3346
011-509-3724-8376
Mailing address:
100 Airport Ave
Venice Fl. 34285
Or
Partnership Program Coordinator
Episcopal Diocese of Haiti
C/o Lynx Air
P.O. Box 407139
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340
So update: Pere Sadoni, who is now the minister at an Episcopal run orphanage center in PAP, which did collapse, is alive, as are the children. We are anxiously awaiting word about Pere Fanfan. I have tried to call a number of people I know down there – I get ringing but no answer.
Latest update: Pere Fanfan is alive!