As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads around the globe, collective action is more important than ever. We can make a difference in this crisis, and you can be a part of it. Our international staff members, respected for their disaster expertise, have been asked by their communities to help. Here are some highlights:
Resilient health systems are key, including public health communication. Garmalia Mentor-William, M.D. in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti is assisting the Health Department's Unit of Crisis Management, having unique expertise as both medical doctor and disaster management specialist. She continues her popular radio show about health and safety, and she is vice president of Foundation Mantalayati (Haiti Mental Health) which helps people cope via video sessions. With funds from GeoHazards International friends, she installed water tanks for hand washing at the main hospital.
Leaders need access to scientific, engineering & policy expertise. Yeshey Lotay in Thimphu, Bhutan, is an engineer who has worked extensively on disaster management and contributes critical cross-sector experience. He is a registered volunteer (DeSuup) with special training on COVID-19 awareness for non-health personnel through the Ministry of Health. If needed, he will be deployed for emergency duty.
Proactive efforts save lives and protect communities. Lalrinpuii Tlau in Mizoram, India was asked by the Department of Disaster Management & Rehabilitation to be part of the state control room, which has been working round the clock on COVID-19 control measures. She is a social worker by background with special emphasis on impacts of disasters.
Solutions are never purely technical. Gefthé Dévilmé in south Haiti is informing people about COVID-19 safety measures—by sound truck, radio shows, posters, and car stickers—and providing water tanks for hand washing at the local hospital. These activities, funded by a GHI donor, are welcomed by the head of Civil Protection in Nippes Department.
You can help! Support our WeCare2020 fundraising campaign. Your gift—matched dollar-for-dollar through May 31st—will support local resilience efforts where people face extreme risk. Please donate today.
Wishing you health and safety,
Veronica Cedillos
President & CEO
P.S. Ordering from Amazon? Support us by selecting GeoHazards International for AmazonSmile: https://blog.aboutamazon.com/community/how-to-sign-up-for-amazonsmile.
The GeoHazards International team
Haiti · Dominican Republic · India · Bhutan · Nepal · U.S.A.
For their support of the WeCare2020 challenge, a huge thank you to our board members and these corporate sponsors:
