Gen Pwoblem Gen Solisyon

By Jon Lascher, PIH Haiti Procurement Manager

	Grand Saline is currently only accessible by boat or by air.

At PIH we do whatever it takes to provide access to treatment for the poorest of the poor. We use all of the resources at our disposal to reach as many people as we can, and when we do not have the resources, we ask our strong network of partners to help us carry out our mission.  

Last week, we were alerted to the plight of Grande Saline, a large town occupying a small strip of land surrounded by salt farms to the north, the sea to the west, and the mouth of the Artibonite River to the south and east.  The only water source in the community is the river, which likely carries cholera. 

Currently, the one road leading to the community is flooded, preventing us from delivering supplies over land. So our team tried to secure a helicopter--we asked for the largest humanitarian helicopter available in order to load as much cargo as possible. With the support of the UN Humanitarian Air Service, and the World Food Program, we were able to secure one within hours.

Our partners at Operation Blessing donated a water filter capable of filtering 10,000 gallons of river water each day.  We loaded medical supplies, oral rehydration salt, chlorox to help disinfect houses, hygiene kits, and hand sanitizer.  We didn't just bring supplies; we brought the director of all Zanmi Lasante (PIH's Haitian sister organization) health initiatives for the Artibonite Region, Dr. Patrick Almazor as well as Erline Andre, a local community health educator. With the helicopter filled, we took off.

	PIH staff load supplies onto a UN helicopter for delivery Grande Saline.
	Dr. Patrick Alamazor and Erline Andre, a community health educator, addressing the community at Grande Saline.

Community members from Grande Saline began gathering to meet with us as soon as they saw the helicopter circling, looking for a safe place to land. We spoke to the community about the cholera situation and found out that many had died and others were trying to reach the closest health centers in Drouin and St. Marc by boat. The community had received water from two humanitarian ships, but the stocks were all used by the time we arrived. They had no choice but to fill empty water bottles with yellow river water.

Using a megaphone, Dr. Almazor and Erline then addressed the community, providing information about how to avoid falling ill with cholera as well as how to avoid the spreading the disease.  They asked the community where the water filter should be set up. The next morning, Operation Blessing returned to Grande Saline to install and train the community to use the filter. 

The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) plans to begin repairs to the road today, with supplies from PIH and the local mayor. With the road repaired, the community will have greater access to both supplies and medical care.

Yesterday, we learned of another isolated community named Celio on the side of a mountain that had reported 18 deaths from cholera. The village has a small health center with medical staff but no supplies. Yesterday, we sent a car to deliver supplies to the nearest town. Where the car can no longer pass, community health workers will carry the supplies. We have a helicopter on stand-by, in case the community health workers can't reach the site. For PIH and Zanmi Lasante, Gen Pwoblem Gen Solisyon--where there is a problem, there is always a solution.