January, 19 2010, 05:51pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Diana Duarte, Media Coordinator,Phone: +1 212 627 0444,Email:,media@madre.org
Health Practitioners Mobilize to Provide Urgent Services
Nearly a week after the massive earthquake struck Haiti, the need for
life-saving medical services is overwhelming. Casualty estimates have
risen, now reflecting a death toll of 200,000, and the number of
injured and homeless is in the millions.
WASHINGTON
Nearly a week after the massive earthquake struck Haiti, the need for
life-saving medical services is overwhelming. Casualty estimates have
risen, now reflecting a death toll of 200,000, and the number of
injured and homeless is in the millions.
MADRE partners are
working day and night to meet the incredible need. MADRE is working
with Partners in Health to support Zanmi Lasante, a community-based
health care project. They have set up field hospitals both inside and
outside of Port-au-Prince, while conducting assessments for expanding
their efforts to address the tremendous need. They have also begun to
perform surgeries to address the many major bone injuries and
infections they have encountered.
Meanwhile, MADRE has also
supported a delegation of midwives and maternal health practitioners,
with four midwives expected to arrive Tuesday January 19. They will
provide invaluable support for women, especially pregnant women and new
mothers, made even more vulnerable by this terrible disaster.
MADRE is an international women's human rights organization that partners with community-based women's groups to advance women's human rights, challenge injustice and create social change in contexts of war, conflict, disaster and their aftermath. MADRE advocates for a world in which all people enjoy individual and collective human rights; natural resources are shared equitably and sustainably; women participate effectively in all aspects of society; and all people have a meaningful say in policies that affect their lives. For more information about MADRE, visit www.madre.org.
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