Monday morning, August 31st, HI received a maritime shipment of mobility aids in the Cayes (Haïti), where its emergency pool has been responding since the recent earthquake caused over 2,200 deaths and over 12,000 injuries throughout southwest Haiti.
The successful delivery included over 120 pairs of crutches, 35 walkers, nearly 20 wheelchairs, a dozen canes and several neck braces, shipped by HI in southern Haiti.
The items were provided by the Haitian Institute for Rehabilitation with the Ministry for Public Health and Population and were delivered to the only rehabilitation center in the Cayes. Along with HI, the center has partnered with local hospitals, where the supplies will be distributed as needed to individuals injured by the earthquake.
Given the ongoing accessibility difficulties in the region due to roadblocks caused by landslides, rubble, and criminal activity, HI’s maritime transit project provides a necessary alternative for humanitarian actors to deliver essential goods to the affected area. It also serves as a more ecologically friendly way to transport large volumes.
