Reflecting a strong commitment to long-term recovery in Haiti, Direct Relief is granting $160,000 to Healing Hands for Haiti International (HHHI), whose facilities were damaged or destroyed during the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in January.
The grant will allow HHHI to operate a temporary facility for a year while it rebuilds its facilities. The temporary space will be fully functional to support care for pre- and post-earthquake patients, and will house an emergency-response clinic, an administrative office, medical examining room, physiotherapy gym, occupational therapy room, classroom, and storage space. Existing volunteer guesthouses, pharmacy, and storage will support the temporary facility.
Specifically, Direct Relief’s $160,000 grant will fund:
- Rent, electricity, maintenance, telecommunications, and other necessities for operating the safe and sanitary temporary facility;
- Necessary equipment, including an industrial back-up generator, examination tables, physiotherapy equipment, and occupational therapy equipment;
- Salaries and benefits for needed personnel, including a clinic manager, administrative staff, security personnel, a driver, a translator, and housekeeping staff.
Since 1998, Healing Hands for Haiti has treated over 25,000 patients, outfitting them with more than 1,000 prosthetic and orthotic devices and 1,000 donated wheelchairs. The not-for-profit, nongovernmental institution operates with no religious or political affiliation.
Healing Hands for Haiti is also collaborating with Handicap International to set up prosthetic fabrication to assist the estimated 4,000 new amputees and other Haitians disabled in the earthquake. Direct Relief shares this commitment to supporting the long-term recovery, with a particular emphasis on prosthetic and orthotic services for the disabled.