Lions worldwide are continuing to respond to the aftermath of the tragic situation in Haiti, following the major earthquake, with total donations now passed the US$4.7 million. Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) made part of this available for immediate care projects and have earmarked the balance rehabilitation projects to help restore essential community facilities that were destroyed.
Haitian Lions have established a house in Port au Prince to provide accommodation for short term medical workers including doctors from Humani Terra – a French NGO started by Lions. We have also recently delivered a further 195 tents along with 1,950 blankets for the homeless.
Lions in Haiti and LCIF are also currently evaluating the construction of more than 600 semi-permanent homes in partnership with NGO (HELP).
A Memorandum of Understanding has recently been signed to partner Humani Terra to provide orthopaedic surgeons and in the longer term the construction of a national trauma and burns treatment unit. The MOU does not currently commit Haitian Lions to provide financial support but this is being considered for the future. SightSavers Vision 2020 also has a planned project for the area.
LCIF staff and Haitian Lions are currently (16th – 19th May) attending a meeting in San Domingo, Dominican Republic to discuss the recent assessment of eye care services in Port au Prince and the surrounding area and to make recommendations for the future development of those services in Haiti.
These possible projects, together with other long-term projects are being explored by Haitian Lions and LCIF, in conjunction with the Haitian Government, including the construction of schools and medical facilities.
As your MD Lions Disaster Response Committee, we will continue to keep in close contact with LCIF in order to consider and determine projects for which your generous donations can be best utilised and we will continue to keep you informed of progress.
