Haiti on my Mind, by volunteer Winnie Romeril

A lot of people ask when am I headed out to the next crisis. The thing about responding to international emergencies is that no timeline exists. 

I recently returned from six months working on the Ebola response. Often in Sierra Leone, my mind turned to Haiti. Freetown reminded me of Port au Prince. Both are port cities with pastel-colored houses piled up mountainsides rising quickly from the sea. In both places, the people are mostly young--around 60 percent under 25 years old--figuring out how to get by in the face of unbelievably high unemployment. Both countries were getting back on track after emerging from a history filled with conflict, only to suffer tragedy on an epic scale.

The American Red Cross sent a team of us to Haiti immediately following the 2010 earthquake to

Winnie Romeril in Haiti

give help where it was needed most. We supported our permanent in-country staff who had worked for years with Haitian Red Cross volunteers in disaster preparedness, public first aid training and HIV/AIDS programs. They narrowly escaped when their Red Cross offices shook violently for less than a minute and blew out the wall where they exited with their lives.

Five and a half years later, Haiti continues to emerge from the dust and rubble of that day. In the Red Cross, we know that recovery from catastrophic disasters takes many years. We have only to look at communities on our own Gulf Coast still searching for normal 11 years on from Katrina. Yet we also have the privilege of accompanying survivors of disasters as they walk their individual roads to recovery. Every recovery is unique and we tailor our support based on lessons from previous experience.

One key change in our initial response to the Haiti earthquake was based on lessons from the Indian Ocean tsunami. We asked tsunami survivors how we could improve aid to people for the next disaster. One thing they said was, in essence, “Thank you for the help, but this doesn't feel like my home when it has your logo on it.” Since returning dignity to disaster victims is paramount, we took their concern to heart. In Haiti, the Red Cross imported and distributed over one-third of all tarps for temporary shelter, covering more than 800,000 survivors. The tarps were everywhere you looked and easy to spot, if you knew what to look for--plain light grey with a dark blue or grey stripe. Yet many a visiting politician and journalist complained they didn't see evidence of Red Cross aid other than the red crosses worn by our volunteers or painted on our trucks. While I did my best to explain our rationale and what to look for, sometimes the press didn't get it right.

Five and a half years on, the American Red Cross has helped build and operate eight hospitals and clinics, stem a deadly cholera outbreak, provide clean water and sanitation, and move more than 100,000 people out of make-shift tents into safe and improved housing. When land was not available for new homes, the Red Cross provided a range of housing solutions including rental subsidies, repairs and retrofitting of existing structures, fulfilling our promise to ensure tens of thousands of Haitians are back in homes. We also built and repaired schools, roadways and water distribution points vital to neighborhoods. 

It’s important to keep Haiti on our minds.

Winnie Romeril, International Response Team

American Red Cross

Preparedness month... day 26!

Photo courtesy of chinaodysseytours.com

It's preparedness month! And we’re celebrating with 30 days full of tips on our favorite topic… preparedness!! If you’ve missed out on any of them, click here to take a trip through the month of September and catch up!!

Preparedness Tip #26
Learn if earthquakes are a risk in your area by contacting your local emergency management office, local American Red Cross chapter, or state geological survey or department of natural resources. 
Information about earthquake risk is also available from the U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazards project.

When it quakes, we shake!

As we witnessed right here in WNY, and as you can see below, earthquakes can happen! 

Unlike our friends to the West, we aren’t really prepared to deal with them here on the East Coast.  We’ve been hearing stories about people evacuating buildings during the quake or simply not doing anything at all, but there is a protocol that we should all know and follow when we start to shake from a quake!


If indoors

• Drop to the ground and take cover under something sturdy (I.e. a table or desk) and stay put
• If there isn't anything for you to take cover under, crouch down in an inside corner of the building and cover your face and head with your arms
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors, walls, and anything that could fall off the wall or ceiling
• Use a doorway for shelter ONLY if it is in close proximity to you and you know it is strongly supported, load bearing doorway
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside
• Most injuries occur when people try to change locations during an earthquake, so stay put!
• Be aware that the electricity may go out, the sprinkler systems may turn on, and the fire alarms may go off
• Do NOT use the elevator!

If outdoors

• Stay outside
• Move AWAY from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires
• Most injuries occur from falling debris and collapsing walls

If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in vehicle
• Try to not stop near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires
• Drive cautiously once the earthquake stops and avoid roads, bridges, and ramps that might have been damaged

If trapped under debris

• Do not light a match
• Do not move about or kick up dust
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing
• To call attention to rescuers:
• Tap on a pipe or wall
• Blow a whistle (you should always carry one!)
• Try to avoid yelling to prevent inhaling dust

For more information on what to do during an earthquake visit FEMA online!

For more information on how to prepare for an earthquake, what to do during and earthquake, and what to do after an earthquake, check on this Red Cross preparedness sheet!

Think you know everything about earthquakes? Take the QuakeQuiz, courtesy of the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management!

Information courtesy of www.fema.gov

Disaster Preparedness in Nepal

Photo courtesy of Rob Few/ IFRC
and www.redcross.org

The American Red Cross is there for people down the street, across the country, and around the world, and that’s evident in central Nepal where 30 years ago a series of violent earthquakes struck the village of Kalikahalde.   

Since 2009, the American Red Cross has been working with the Nepal Red Cross and the National Society for Earthquake Technology to establish a disaster preparedness program in 220 schools in Nepal.  More than 16,000 people have benefited. 

“I don’t feel fear of earthquakes while sleeping at night because I have kept heavy things on the floor, identified safe places at home, prepared how to go out safely in a safe place after earthquake, packed some ready-made food and safe water and learnt how to communicate,” said Janardhan K.C. of Changu Narayan in the Bhaktapur district. 

The disaster preparedness programs educate students, teachers and parents about designing and implementing disaster preparedness and response plans which details each school’s vulnerabilities, such as identifying existing cracks in walls or close proximity to a riverbank, and ways that the risks can be reduced.

“We have now learnt how a school building should be constructed and we are applying building codes in the newly constructed block for disaster safety, leaving enough space for rescue and evacuation,” said Purendra Prasad Dhakal, headmaster of Ganesh Secondary School in Nuwakot, one of the participating schools in the program.

In addition to this education, trainings in first aid, basic disaster management, and light search and rescue techniques are also being taught, as well as disaster drills and simulations to ensure that students, teachers and community members feel prepared for future disasters. 

To learn more about the efforts to prepare Nepal, click here to visit the National Red Cross Chapter.

To learn more about disaster preparedness, click here to visit your local Red Cross Chapter.

April isn’t just about getting pets prepared… it’s also about Earthquake Preparedness!!

With the recent devastating earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, we’re reminded just how catastrophic the sudden shaking of the Earth can be.  This is why the American Red Cross has compiled some helpful hints to keep you prepared in case you’re ever faced with an earthquake while home here in WNY or visiting friends in California or traveling through Europe. 

Most Americans think California and the West Coast are the most susceptible areas in the United States for an earthquake. However, the majority of states and territories in every region of the country, including WNY, are at moderate to very high risk for an earthquake to occur.



Photo courtesty of Associated Press/Sandro Perozzi



In Japan, the strong earthquake led to a tsunami which swept miles inland from coastal areas, destroying everything in its path. Can a tsunami occur in the U.S.? The answer is yes, these mighty waves have already affected the U.S. Hawaii, Alaska and the West Coast are most prone to tsunamis, according to the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, while the giant waves are not as much of a threat on the Gulf Coast and East Coast.

Here are some important steps that you can take to prepare for an earthquake:

·         Know the fire evacuation and earthquake plans for any building you occupy regularly.

·         Pick safe places in each room of your home, place of employment or school, under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall.



·         Practice drop, cover and hold on. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.

·         Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed.

·         Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation.

·         Bolt and brace water heaters, gas appliances, bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs.



·         Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.

·         Brace overhead light fixtures.

·         Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items should be closest to the floor.

Here are some important steps that you can take during an earthquake:

If you are inside when the shaking starts:

·         Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible.

·         If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.

·         Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.



·         Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. Use stairs to exit the building rather than an elevator. 

·         Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.

If you are outside when the shaking starts:

·         Find a clear spot away from buildings, power lines, trees and streetlights and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops.

·         If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.

·         If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.

·         If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.



Photo courtesy of The Telegraph



Steps you can take after an earthquake include:

·         Prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami. Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on.

·         Put on long pants, a long-­sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.

·         Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.

·         Listen to a portable, battery-­operated or hand-­crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.

·         Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.

·         Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.



·         Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.

If you were away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.



Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning. They can occur during the day or at night, in any season of the year. For more information on what you can do to remain safe during an earthquake or any other disaster, visit us online.  If you’d like someone here at the American Red Cross to give a program to your school, church, gym or community center on how to be prepared, contact us at 716.886.7500.

Lending a hand across the world

Nothing is greater then going through the mail here at the Chapter and opening up envelopes from the community with all types of donations for those affected by disasters.  The other day, we received an envelope full of hand drawn pictures and notes from a third grade class at the Kadimah School.  Their teacher wrote us a letter describing her students desire to help and cheer up the children in Japan, and their pictures and letters were the best way that they knew how to help.

Unfortunately, in these types of disasters, it is difficult for us to transport clothing, food, pictures, and other tangible items.  Although we would like to give the people of Japan our personalized gifts and items, the best way that we can help them recover from this major disaster is through monetary donations.

What these pictures have been able to do is inspire us here at the Chapter to continue to do our good work, and we hope that they do the same for you.  As of today, March 28 at 2:10pm, we have raised a total of $33,936 for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief effort from donors in our community, and we hope that you will continue to help us raise funds to help Japan make a full recovery. 

If you would like to make a donation to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief fund, you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10.00 donation, call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit us online.  If you would like to speak to someone here at the Chapter about making a donation, please call us at 716-886-7500.

Haiti-One Year Report

Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the tragic earthquake in Haiti.  Below is the Red Cross's report that shows how your support has allowed us to aid Haiti over the past year. Thank you for your support in the past, and we hope that we can count on your continued support to allow us to do our good work throughout the community and the world.   

                   

To make a donation, please visit our Chapter online.

A glance at the past

If there is one thing that the American Red Cross has always been known for, it is helping people. 
Almost one year ago today, Haiti was virtually crippled by a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake.   But thanks to donations from across the country, the American Red Cross has been able to raise almost 479 million dollars for relief efforts, one million of which was raised right here in the WNY community.  
This tremendous outpouring of support has allowed us to provide the Haitian people with:

      ·         Emergency shelter for more than 860,000 people

·         Food for 1.3 million people for one month

·         Daily drinking water for 317,000 people

·         Latrines for 265,000 people

·         Medical treatment for nearly 217,000 patients

·         Vaccinations for nearly 1 million people

·         Cash grants and loans to help 220,000 people

We hope to be able to continue to rely on your support as we continue to respond to arising issues, such as the cholera outbreak, and the upcoming years of support to aid Haiti in its recovery. 

Click here to see the entire one-year report on the Red Cross relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.
To make a donation to our continued relief efforts in Haiti and across the country, please visit us online.