Haiti Disaster Update from the ANA delivered by the Florida Nurses Association
Posted Jan 15, 2010 From the Florida Nurses Association
Hello
Marie O. Etienne, MSN, ARNP
Public Relations Chair and Member of HANA
Chairperson for HAPC
Posted Jan 14, 2010
In the wake of the devastation in Haiti, The American Nurses Associationwould like to convey our deepest sympathies to those who have suffered incalculable losses. For nurses who have expressed an interest helping with the relief and recovery efforts, ANA encourages anyone interested in becoming a first responder to pre-register with one of the many disaster registries and response organizations that already exist. These groups ensure that volunteers will have access to training and will be utilized according to the appropriate response plans.
Please visit Volunteer Information to learn more about how to become an emergency first responder.
If you wish to make a contribution to relief efforts please visit Relief efforts/Contributions
Anna Small, FNA lobbyist will also be seeking out more local information from some of our friends in the Florida legislature. Please be on the lookout for more information.
If any of our members from Haiti have information on how we can help, please email me at wfuller@floridanurse.org and I will send that information out.
The situation in Haiti continues to be very dire. Over a dozen aftershocks have occurred in the hours following the quake, with several registering over a 5.9 magnitude. Response efforts at this time are focused on search and rescue and the restoration of basic necessities, including communication. The U.S. Navy has deployed the U.S. aircraft carrier Carl Vincent to serve as a staging base to deliver equipment and relief supplies. We also know that the U.S. hospital ship, Comfort, will be deployed to the area very soon. Because of the continuing aftershocks and the general instability that results following an earthquake, access to the affected area is extremely limited. It is critically important that we recognize that this area is very unsafe for those who are not well trained in disaster response.
The American Nurses Association is keenly aware of the desire of U.S. nurses to respond to the tragedy that has occurred in Haiti. We are working closely with the federal government, non-governmental response community and other health professional associations to determine the type of assistance needed and when it might be safe to travel to Haiti. In particular, ANA has been in contact with ProjectHOPE, the American Red Cross, and the International Medical Corps. ANA has also communicated with the International Council of Nurses regarding the Association Nationale des Infirmières Licenciées d'Haïti, the ICN member. At this point, the ICN has been unable to communicate with the national nurses association leadership.
ANA will continue to communicate on a regular basis with the CMAs to provide accurate and up-to-date information. We will be exploring opportunities for nurses to travel to the region and provide assistance when it is deemed to be safe to do so and as part of an effort coordinated by those who are in the country and have assessed what is needed and when. It is also important to remember that we are in the initial stages of this crises, response will be needed by health care professional over the next many months to come. The secondary public health crises that will result from the earthquake will require significant resources in order to see a successful recovery for Haiti and its people.
Be on the look out for information specific to ANA's efforts to assist the Haitian nurses. We will also be sending information about Just-in-time training that will help to prepare health care professionals who are responding.
In the wake of the devastation in Haiti, The American Nurses Association would like to convey our deepest sympathies to those who have suffered incalculable losses. For nurses who have expressed an interest helping with the relief and recovery efforts, ANA encourages anyone interested in becoming a first responder to pre-register with one of the many disaster registries and response organizations that already exist. These groups ensure that volunteers will have access to training and will be utilized according to the appropriate response plans.
Please visit Volunteer Information to learn more about how to become an emergency first responder.
If you wish to make a contribution to relief efforts please visit Relief efforts/Contributions
Anna Small, FNA lobbyist will also be seeking out more local information from some of our friends in the Florida legislature. Please be on the lookout for more information.
If any of our members from Haiti have information on how we can help, please email me at wfuller@floridanurse.org and I will send that information out.
In the wake of the devastation in Haiti, The American Nurses Association would like to convey our deepest sympathies to those who have suffered incalculable losses. For nurses who have expressed an interest helping with the relief and recovery efforts, ANA encourages anyone interested in becoming a first responder to pre-register with one of the many disaster registries and response organizations that already exist. These groups ensure that volunteers will have access to training and will be utilized according to the appropriate response plans.