1 HRDF POST-EVENT REPORT COMMUNITY EMERGENCY

HAITIAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION <hrdf.org>
Aldy Castor, M.D., President
United States: 845 Marina Drive, Weston, Florida 33327
Phone: 954.659.7953. 954.873.0064 fax 954.659.7957 [email protected]
Haiti: 17, 2ème ruelle Wilson, Pacot, Port-au-Prince, ph 509.3.461.5225
25, Rue Sténlo Vincent, Aquin
The Haitian Resource Development Foundation (HRDF), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with United States Federal Tax I.D.
No. 72-1074482, was established in 1987 in the State of Louisiana. This Foundation is also recognized by the government of
Haiti as a Non-Governmental Organization (N.G.O.) under the RE: No. MPCEFP/1993/94/17 and registered in the archives of
Le Ministere de la Planification et la Cooperation Externe under the number B-0167. HRDF’s mission is to initiate or support
projects whose goals are to develop Haiti’s resources and focuses its effort on outcome-based programs in the fields of health
care, education, scientific research, arts and culture and economy.
HRDF POST-EVENT REPORT
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM [CERT]
AQUIN, HAITI - TROPICAL STORM "ISAAC"
AUGUST 24-26, 2012
Aquin CERT member, mobilized with motorcycle, vest and first-aid pack talks
with resident about precautions against the advancing storm, "Isaac." Note
household toilet in background is already surrounded by standing water from a
previous rainstorm.
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I. INTRODUCTION - HRDF AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The Haitian Resource Development Foundation <hrdf.org> was founded in 1987 and is based in
Aquin on Haiti's south-central Caribbean coast. HRDF is an advocate and acknowledged
leader for education, training and mobilization for emergency medical technology [EMT] and
community emergency response teams [CERT], both being essential in disaster-prone small
island states such as Haiti.
For many years, HRDF's physicians and instructors, many of them from overseas universities,
hospitals and emergency management organizations, have provided continuing education in
emergency fields for Haitian police, firemen, medical and rescue personnel. Three years ago,
HRDF assembled and began to train a CERT for Aquin, the first of its kind in Haiti. Weekend
sessions are held periodically, with subjects ranging from first aid, search and rescue, life
support, mass-casualty response, transport and evacuation, community alerts, environmental
and biosurveillance and post-disaster assessment.
HRDF CERT training sessions are comprehensive, rigorous and practical
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With the approach of Tropical Storm "Isaac," Haiti's Ministry of Health and Population [MSPP]
requested the services of Aquin's CERT. The purpose was to alert the residents, provide
comfort, guidance and reliable advice, assist with storm preparations, be on-call during the
storm passage, and then respond as needed to injuries and property damage. All of this takes
into account that Aquin is a vulnerable coastal city and commune typical of dozens that face the
sea, with their backs to Haiti's steep hills and mountainsides. Especially during severe weather
events, these conditions pose significant threats from storm surges, landslides and flashfloods.
Aquin, Haiti faces the sea to the south, with steep slopes to the north.
Relief map of Aquin and vicinity, showing river basins, narrow coastal plan and steep slopes a combination for water-borne disaster during extreme storm events.
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II. POST-"ISAAC" CERT REPORT
The team's activity report follows below, with accompanying photographs.
From: Lubin Manicel <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: Mon, August 27, 2012 2:40:59 PM
Subject: rapport sur le passage du cyclone Isaac dans la commune d'Aquin.
Rapport en date du 24/08/12
Nous avions sillonné quelques zones cibles au moment du passage du cyclone d'Isaac dans la
commune d'Aquin telles que: Au bord de la mer (Nan Gazon, Bouk Dival, Posen lwi), une partie
de la 3ème section (Morisseau, Grison, Carrefour Félix, Terre-Blanche) et une partie de la 2ème
section (le quartier de Vieux-Bourg).
Notre objectif était de:
- De sensibiliser la population sur le passage du cyclone Isaac a travers le pays.
- D’inviter la population à prendre quelques précautions pour éviter des dégâts qui peuvent être
causés par le passage du cyclone.
- faire le control des trafics routiers.
- Motiver d'avantage la population sur l'épidémie du cholera après le passage du
cyclone Isaac dans la communauté Aquinoise.
NB: le vent a soufflé dans la matinée du jeudi jusqu’au vendredi dans la soirée. La pluie a tombé
par intermittence. l'eau a monté a quelque centimètres et a inondé des maisons au bord de la
mer.
Deuxième journée en date du 25/08/12
Du 24 au 25 Aout, la pluie a tombé toute la nuit du 24 et dans la matinée du 25 aout. Le vent a
soufflé très fort. Toutes les activités de la commune ont été paralysées.
L'équipe de l'ECRU accompagnée de la Directrice de l'UCS d'Aquin et de St-Louis du Sud en la
personne du Docteur Marie Danielle Comeau a sensibilisé de la population sur le passage du
cyclone Isaac dans le Département du Sud.
Nos activités ont pris fin dans la soirée du 26/08/12.
Remerciement pour leur support à :
Aldy Hotel
Project Hope
Florida Emergency Management Division
Haitian Resource Development Foundation (HRDF)
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CERT members use moto-ambulance with loudspeaker to alert residents.
Note steep hillsides in background.
CERT members also use their own vehicles when necessary.
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CERT members work as a team to cover both city and countryside. Their
emergency vehicles must be able to negotiate difficult terrain.
Constant vigilance is essential for disaster preparedness. During "Isaac," mobile
CERT members worked into the night, wore protective hats and reflective vests, and
carried first-aid packs and other emergency response supplies.
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Even small streams and swales can become dangerous floodways during and after
severe weather events. CERT members are trained to anticipate locations and
perform necessary search and rescue.
Floodwater that does not easily pass through and around Haitian communities can
become stagnant and dangerous sources of contamination and disease. Therefore,
CERT work does not end when the storm passes over; there is much more to do.
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