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January 25, 2010 (San Diego) –Rescue Task Force, the humanitarian organization established in East County that has since merged with World Emergency Relief, is now working to restore electricity in Haiti.
“Lack of power can cost lives,” RTF’s Andrea Stone observed.
RTF's on-the-ground team brings unique and much needed experience to the humanitarian relief mission in Haiti, she noted. "When not on a mission for RTF, five members of the team are high voltage linemen for San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). Being in Haiti for less than a week, they have been able to make huge differences – life-saving differences.”
Rescue Task Force's team is wearing many hats during this relief mission including, performing in situations in rescue, medical support, as ambulance drivers, security, triage, supply transport and more. However, their special skill in electrical power supply is saving even more lives. There is now light in a surgery room and the x-ray machine is now running. This allows doctors and volunteers to continue working around the clock.
Mission One was accomplished: delivery of 400 doses of desperately needed Calcium Chloride for crush syndrome victims.
Mission Two has been accomplished: delivery of supplies to Good Samaritan School. Pastor “Vincent was so grateful when the Rescue Task Force team arrived with resources, supplies and food,:” said Stone. “Pastor Vincent has been feeding over 2,000 people daily since the earthquake hit.”
Mission Three is now underway to assist International Faith Missions (IFM). RTF team has set up camp at the IFM headquarters/compound. RTF team members are working around the clock with IFM's mobile medical units outfitting an ambulance and making two more temporary ambulances from trucks.
This just in from Darryl Hall, RTF's "boots-on-the-ground" team leader: "We had a load of tents come into IFM – We have set these up and are running a hospital using the tents for rooms. It is like a field hospital in a war zone. They are bringing in patients by bus loads. We are treating 100-150 patients per day in addition to ensuring security for the compound. We are also actively engaged working on the sanitation, latrine requirements for compound - Demands change continually as needs arise. We have set the up a pharmacy and are assisting in medicine distribution. Due to the team's skill in electricity, power is now on and lights are working in the main building. The surgery rooms are now running with power and the equipment is operational.”
Supplies are finally coming in from Dominican Republic, he confirmed. “We are seeing food and water coming in abundance. We are transporting supplies to the military stationed at the airport.” But traveling at night is dangerous, he added. “Desperation is growing. We are working 'around the clock' to treat critically injured patients. The demand is never ending. We don't stop. Rest is the difference between life and death – the end vs. a tomorrow.”
Stone, executive officer for RTF in Carlsbad, made this observation. “ I have worked with doctors and dentists in the Mosquito Coast jungles of Honduras and understand the obstacles when there is no electricity. One is so limited. Just having the ability to work at night and work 24/7 brings tremendous change. The team is doing a phenomenal job and will do whatever it takes to keep things running…So many lives – making a difference many lives at a tim
Online donations may be made at http://www.wer-us.org/haiti-RFT-donation.html .
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