On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti, leveling buildings, cutting off communications and leaving the world wondering about the state of this poor country. Witnesses said buildings were destroyed and many people injured. The lack of communications is hindering the ability to determine the full extent of damage and destruction.
The International Red Cross has spoken of 45,000 to 50,000 dead, but according to Lieutenant General Ken Keen, the US general running the relief effort, the international community should be prepared for the worst and the toll could be as high as 200,000.
The United Nations has estimated that three million people were affected, and 300,000 left homeless. Some 40 tent cities have sprung up in Port-au-Prince, the International Red Cross has estimated.
Sun Ho and CityCare in Haiti
Singaporean artiste Sun Ho is the patron of CityCare's overseas humanitarian activities and has been very involved in helping the under-privileged and under-served communities internationally. Currently based in Los Angeles, she was instrumental in getting CityCare into Haiti for the relief work.
She used her connections in the US and Central America to get medical supplies and to help CityCare gain instant access into the country. We realized that many Singaporeans are willing to help, and we quickly pulled together a team. CItyCare mobilized its first relief aid team - 2 doctors, 3 nurses and 3 disaster-relief workers - on 17 January, transiting into Dominican Republic from the United States, and then entering into Haiti via a 10-hour overland route from Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic.
The team set up a temporary medical post outside a church in Carrefour, a suburb 5km away from the city centre of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
We have since sent 6 teams of 22 doctors, 20 nurses and 23 disaster relief workers to provide medical care to the earthquake survivors in Carrefour and the nearby Gressier suburb, treating a total of 6,419 patients as of 23 February 2010. CityCare continues to provide the logistical arrangements for people who want to be involved in the disaster relief work.
For information on the members of our relief teams, click here.
Watch the video of Sun Ho in Haiti
Photo Gallery
Click here to view photos of CityCare's teams in Haiti.
helping the under-privileged and under-served communities internationally. Currently based in Los Angeles, she was instrumental in getting CityCare into Haiti for the relief work.
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