PM&R Care in Haiti Relief Efforts
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Have information to share?
Please let us know if you have information that would benefit us as we develop more plans. Send a note to Haiti@aapmr.org. |
The Academy will update this Web page as we learn of ways that physiatrists can provide assistance with disaster relief in Haiti.
The international Haiti relief infrastructure is evolving. The Academy’s goal has been to vet current opportunities and needs as best we can in order to serve as the resource for our members to direct their good will. The one clear message we’ve heard is to work within the current infrastructure of Haiti relief and with organizations already established on site.
The Academy is also advocating and promoting to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and federal/international disaster relief agencies the value and critical need for PM&R. We will continue to build the long-term case for PM&R inclusion in future disaster relief.
Here is a summary of current opportunities (click on these links to jump to these sections):
Join Member Discussion About Haiti
Academy members are actively discussing volunteer PM&R efforts and disaster relief in Haiti. Because this shared information is frequently updated, the Academy has created a Google group for interested people to share information on this topic. To participate, click on the following link: http://groups.google.com/group/aapmr-haiti-relief
Once a member, you may read archived discussions on the Web page, or elect to receive e-mail notices when new information is posted. The Academy will also post updates received from the coordinating efforts on the ground in Haiti. To add to the discussion, send an e-mail to aapmr-haiti-relief@googlegroups.com.
Note: You will need to sign in to your Google account to access this group. If you don’t have a Google account, visit http://groups.google.com/group/aapmr-haiti-relief and select one of the "sign in" options for instructions. Setting up a Google account is easy—you can use whatever e-mail address you prefer as your username (it doesn’t have to be Gmail). Once you have your Google account set up, select "join" on our Haiti group page. If you would like to customize your settings or unsubscribe, click "help" in the top right navigation for instructions.
Organizations Seeking PM&R Physicians
The Academy has confirmed that the organizations listed below are operational in Haiti and seek volunteers from PM&R. Additional details about duration of service requested, financial/logistical support, etc., is also provided.
Click here for more information.
Click here for more information.
Physician Volunteer Databases
Some organizations in Haiti are using the following established databases to find medical assistance. Members who would like to volunteer their medical expertise in Haiti should register with each of the following:
Before traveling to Haiti, you may wish to visit the CDC site for travel requirements: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/Haiti.aspx
AMA Physician Registry
The American Medical Association (AMA) is a central source for registering physicians who want to volunteer. Click on this link to register in the AMA/NDLS™ Disaster Volunteer Physician Registry. Government and relief agencies are expected to use this database to search for medical assistance. Based on Academy member response to a recent survey investigating interesting, we have promised AMA that at least 100 physiatrists would register in the database.
This database is administered by FEMA.
Suggestions From Members
As members share information with us we will list them here.
- International Rehabilitation Forum (www.rehabforum.org)
Founded by Academy member Andrew Haig, MD
Other ways to contribute
Physicians for Peace (www.physiciansforpeace.org) is accepting donations of new and used prosthetics, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and crutches. Ship these to Physicians for Peace Warehouse, Attn: Ken Hudson, 2117 Springfield Ave., Norfolk, VA 23523. For more information, call (757) 625-7569.
Donated prosthetic limbs will be also collected at any of Hanger's 670+ patient care centers and will then be shipped directly to Physicians for Peace.
The Center for International Disaster Information also suggests direct ways you can contribute. Visit www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a and click "offers of goods or services" to learn more.
The Department of Health and Human Services has a list of humanitarian agencies that are accepting donations: www.hhs.gov/haiti.
Humanitarian agencies already in place in Haiti who are seeking monetary donations include:
Handicap International is accepting monetary donations via their Web site. For more information or to make a donation, click here.
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