The death toll in Haiti could reach 200,000 from the 7.0 earthquake on Jan 12th, according to the latest CBS news report. Many of those who survived the destructive force of the quake are now dealing with serious injuries, infected wounds and a lack of food and water. As of this writing, 12 days have lapsed and many have still not received food or clean, healthy drinking water. There are still dead bodies trapped and decomposing beneath the collapsed buildings, creating further danger of air-borne diseases. Experts say that the dead bodies do not pose nearly the risk of spreading disease as do the survivors.
The majority of the organisms responsible for disease do not live long in dead flesh. HIV and hepatitis are widespread in Haiti and both diseases can be contracted by handling dead bodies carrying these organisms, without the proper protective clothing and mask.
Contaminated water supplies, untreated infected wounds and mosquitoes could further exacerbate an already life-threatening situation. Clean water and antibiotics are scarce and badly needed to treat the many serious crush wounds, puncture wounds, compound fractures, cuts and scrapes. There is increasing imminent danger of infection from the filthy conditions found most everywhere in the cities and surrounding areas. Scores of survivors with such injuries could surely succumb to complications caused by infections such as gangrene, septicemia, and blood poisoning.
A lack of clean water for drinking and bathing can lead to a myriad of diseases related to E. coli bacteria found in human fecal material.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, an infectious disease expert at the B.C. Centers for Disease Control in Vancouver, said "...E. coli can be among the most deadly diseases. Carried in feces, the bacteria can end up contaminating both water and food. There are many different types of E. coli, so it causes everything from just an explosive, watery diarrhea to a very severe infection with bloody diarrhea and kidney failure." Dr. Henry said.
Typhoid, caused by a strain of salmonella, is another possibility related to the serious unsanitary conditions and tight quarters of hundreds of people.
Another serious problem is malnutrition from an inadequate supply of food to many people. Most of the food made available to the survivors is uncooked and eaten cold, due to the lack of any type of cooking appliance such as a propane or gas stove. In addition, there are very few areas that have electricity available for cooking or boiling drinking water.
There is an American company that is helping to solve this dilemma with solar ovens. Paul Munsen, owner and CEO of Global Sun Ovens, has already provided over 1,400 Sun Ovens to Haiti, allowing people to cook their meals with the energy of the sun. In addition, he has shipped twelve large "Villager" Sun Ovens that will each cook 1,200 meals per day. Mr. Munsen has been providing ovens to Haiti for over 14 years and has set up a factory in Haiti so the Haitian people can manufacture their own solar Sun Ovens.
Besides cooking food, the solar Sun Ovens will pasteurize water, kill all bacteria and harmful organisms. The Sun Ovens can also sterilize medical instruments. Global Sun Ovens is working with Friends of Haiti Organization (FOHO) to get the ovens into the hands of those who need them the most.
They are asking for donations for this cause. FOHO is a 501c nonprofit organization and 100% of the donations for Sun Ovens go towards purchasing them at cost and shipping them to Haiti.
Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated. Checks should be made payable to: Friends of Haiti Organization, P. O. Box 222, Holland, OH 43528
(Please note the donation is for the Sun Oven project.)
Please give what you can. You will be saving lives.
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