|
Haiti: Aid rushed to orphanage
17 Jan 2010
By James Addis
 |
The orphanage had to take in 36 more children from a damaged orphanage.
Photo by James Addis.
©2010 World Vision International |
World Vision rushed immediate supplies of food, water and children’s multi-vitamins to an orphanage in Delmas, Port-au-Prince, after its directors appealed for assistance.
The orphanage had not had supplies of clean water for two days, was running out of food, had no electricity, and was overcrowded.
The orphanage originally housed 65 children but took in 36 more from another orphanage damaged in the quake.
Dozens of forlorn orphans pressed up against World Vision staff when they entered the orphanage gates. They lifted up their arms begging to be picked up.
Inside many orphans stared listlessly from cots. As darkness fell, others simply lay down and slept haphazardly on the floor or on large mats.
Caregiver Charitable Mifort said the orphanage had been buying bottled water and food from local markets but skyrocketing prices was making it impossible for the orphanage to provide for all the children.
When the water ran out, caregivers resorted to boiling water from a local river.
World Vision nurse Delide Jean-Baptiste noted that most of the orphans were malnourished, possibly partly due to their bodies harboring parasites, and many were suffering from scabies.
At least two orphans were suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.
Delide said the overcrowded conditions made for unhygienic conditions at the orphanage.
She noted many of the cots held more than one child—making it easy for them to infect each other with disease.
As World Vision staff began to leave, after dropping off the relief supplies, they were hugged and kissed by tearful caregivers, who kept repeating their thanks.
|
|