Jan 22, 2010, Update on Haiti Conditions from Fitzsimmons
The following is from an e-mail received Jan 22, 2010, from Rodney Fitzsimmons, our Missionary in Haiti
The devastation in the capital is spreading throughout the country.
*There are fuel shortages.
*Banks have been closed since the quake which has caused a cash flow shortage. *Food prices are up - some items have doubled.
*Schools are closed.
*A large majority of the economy here is based on construction and this has come to a grinding halt since the fuel shortage prevents materials from being delivered. Therefore, work is becoming scarce.
All this thrust upon people of whom the majority have very little if any in reserve for their daily food.
Wednesday evening we learned that many injured from the capital are being brought here to Gonaives and the hospitals here (such as they are) are overwhelmed. We went to the hospital nearest us this morning to see if we could help. They said many have come who have no one to help them often being brought by someone coming this way and then dropped off at the hospital - victims with broken bones, open wounds, internal injuries, etc. The families of these victims may not even know where they are and that they are in fact alive. International organizations are providing them with food. The hospital is providing medicine at no charge but their stock of many vital supplies is out or running low.
After receiving a list of urgently needed items - bandages, items for broken bone casts, gloves, antibiotics, iodine, sutures, and pain medication - we headed downtown to the pharmacies and were able to acquire some of everything on the list at just under $3000US. We found a large quantity of most items.
As we headed back we noticed a gas station selling fuel which was very busy and decided to try to get fuel (see first picture). In about 30 minutes we were able to fill our tank which was an answer to prayer.
We then returned to the hospital with the supplies (see second picture).
We passed out some tracts at the hospital and plan to return tomorrow to actually visit with the quake victims and share the Gospel, tracts and John/Romans.
We will be making a trip to Cap Haitian Saturday (another reason we were so thankful to get fuel today) to take a fellow missionary's wife who is ill (not quake related) for a flight to the States. Pray for her, her familiy, and our safety over the mountains. It is 100 miles but takes 7 hours round trip due to the winding mountain roads and poor road conditions.
Thank you so much for your prayers.
Rodney and Cathy