Event Explores Haiti Quake Aftermath
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Many doctors, nurses, and other relief workers arrived in Haiti without any supplies for themselves and with a misconception that an infrastructure was still in place to help the wounded.
“Literally, at first there were surgeons looking at patients and patients looking at surgeons,” said Ruben Flores, co-founder of NYC Medics, at a New School discussion of the Haitian earthquake aftermath.
“Literally, at first there were surgeons looking at patients and patients looking at surgeons,” said Ruben Flores, co-founder of NYC Medics, at a New School discussion of the Haitian earthquake aftermath.
Leona Deckelbaum, New School student at the graduate program in international affairs, organized a forum held on Wednesday, February 3, to discuss experiences of aid workers who have helped in Haiti since the Port-Au-Prince earthquake on January 12.
The panel included Christine Amy, a veteran of medical disaster relief and a medical team coordinator in Haiti for NYC Medics. Flores, who has been sending teams of trauma surgeons to Haiti, was also present. Trauma surgeon Dan Deckelbaum, Leona’s brother, discussed his experiences as a trauma surgeon with NYC Medics at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti.
NYC Medics is a volunteer organization that sends emergency medical teams to disaster areas. Flores said that he hoped to provide quick medical care, minimize mortality, minimize morbidity, and to maintain a safe structural and human environment.
All three speakers addressed the disparity between media reports of looting and violence and the actual violence that occurred in and around Port-Au-Prince. While dozens of U.S. media outlets reported “armed gangs of looters,” roaming Port-Au-Prince, Flores said that not a single aid worker or relief team member was injured by violence. In fact, in his experience, the presence of media trucks precipitated riotous demonstrations, often because individuals seized the opportunity to relay the emotional severity of their situation by rioting or demonstrating, at times solely for the benefit of the media.
Throughout the talk, a strong theme emerged that has been overlooked by Western media coverage: The Haitian people themselves have played instrumental roles in helping other Haitians. The speakers on the panel were in agreement that any foreign relief would be nearly impossible without such cooperation.
The panel included Christine Amy, a veteran of medical disaster relief and a medical team coordinator in Haiti for NYC Medics. Flores, who has been sending teams of trauma surgeons to Haiti, was also present. Trauma surgeon Dan Deckelbaum, Leona’s brother, discussed his experiences as a trauma surgeon with NYC Medics at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti.
NYC Medics is a volunteer organization that sends emergency medical teams to disaster areas. Flores said that he hoped to provide quick medical care, minimize mortality, minimize morbidity, and to maintain a safe structural and human environment.
All three speakers addressed the disparity between media reports of looting and violence and the actual violence that occurred in and around Port-Au-Prince. While dozens of U.S. media outlets reported “armed gangs of looters,” roaming Port-Au-Prince, Flores said that not a single aid worker or relief team member was injured by violence. In fact, in his experience, the presence of media trucks precipitated riotous demonstrations, often because individuals seized the opportunity to relay the emotional severity of their situation by rioting or demonstrating, at times solely for the benefit of the media.
Throughout the talk, a strong theme emerged that has been overlooked by Western media coverage: The Haitian people themselves have played instrumental roles in helping other Haitians. The speakers on the panel were in agreement that any foreign relief would be nearly impossible without such cooperation.
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