Humanitarian Relief
Health Goes Global is not an emergency response non-profit organization. However, in March of 2020 with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic Health Goes Global responded the immediate need for PPE. Following this, our Board of Directors voted to hold $2,000 in Humanitarian Relief Funds in future years to allow us to respond quickly to situations that align with our mission to elevate the quality of life for people in underserved communities through preventive health care.
2023: cholera outbreak in haiti
In July 2023, we were notified of a cholera outbreak in Cayes-Jacmel, Haiti. There had been 50 cases and 6 deaths at that point in time.
Cholera is a highly contagious illness that infects the intestine, and severe symptoms include profuse diarrhea, vomiting, thirst, leg cramps, and restlessness. The water-borne illness is spread via infected feces that finds its way into drinking water.
It is said that Haiti is the final frontier for cholera eradication, and responding to this cause aligned directly with our mission. Furthermore, we have favored supporting small groups that aim to make a big impact. To achieve these efforts in Haiti, we worked with the local community-based health group L’Association Saint-Luc d’Haïti (ASSLHA), made up of local volunteer nurses, doctors, and community health workers.
IMPACT
In a 2 month period, 24 health promoters were activated to provide health education about stopping the spread of cholera and to treat and direct medical care for those affected.
2,400 families were reached with health education and treatment - a total of 13,500 people.
As of now the cholera outbreak is under control in Cayes-Jacmel
Health Goes Global played a monumental role in this achievement for Haiti and for global public health!
2021: Haiti Earthquake Response
On August 14, 2021 a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Southern Haiti causing devastation and destruction to an area of the island that had barely recovered from the 2010 7.0 magnitude earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. This natural disaster has left over 37,000 homes destroyed, taken the lives of nearly 2,200 people, injured over 12,000 residents, and kept search crews busy looking for missing loved ones.
We are honored support the work of Abricots Mobile Clinic in Southern Haiti. Five doctors and ten nurses worked tirelessly to bring their mobile clinic to those in need. They have been providing lifesaving treatment for individuals with acute injuries from the earthquake, as well as giving care to those with previous diagnoses who are no longer able to reach health care infrastructure to obtain their medicines. The support of a local Haitian group is imperative at this moment as shipping lanes are back logged, major highways are destroyed, and gangs patrol the streets to loot incoming shipment of aid. Our thoughts are with all of those who lost loved ones and who are overcoming daily challenges of living in the destruction caused by the earthquake.
$3,800 was needed to support 10 clinics and serve 2,185 people for acute injuries as well as providing lifesaving medications. Of that total Health Goes Global covered over half the cost using our $2,000 in relief funds. 5 amazing doctors and 10 nurses cared for these people with your help and our swiftly acting board of directors.
