Direct Relief Internat
ional did their homework following the earthquake and determined that supporting Healing Hands for Haiti in rebuilding the rehabilitation sector would make the best use of their donors’ funds and materials. At meetings in their Santa Barbara, CA offices in early June, their leadership team presented us with a grant for $275,000 and committed to doubling that this year.
“Following meetings at Direct Relief International's headquarters yesterday and today, the organization has increased grant funding to Healing Hands for Haiti International (HHHI) to $275,000. This partner's excellent work in caring for people in need in Haiti and its loss of facilities during the January earthquake have inspired the increase in grant funding, which will support the operation of temporary facilities for a year while permanent facilities are rebuilt.” For more than 60 years, Direct Relief International has provided medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people affected by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest at home and throughout the world. They work to strengthen the in-country health efforts of their partners by providing essential material resources – medicines, supplies, equipment, and funding.
The grant will allow HHHI to operate a temporary facility for a year while we rebuild our headquarters. The temporary space will be fully functional to support care for pre- and post-earthquake patients, and will house a clinic, an administrative office, medical examining room, physiotherapy gym, occupational therapy room, classroom, and storage space.
Specifically, Direct Relief’s $275,000 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.
On behalf of the more than 800,000 persons with disabilities in Haiti, our volunteers and staff, we are grateful to our supporters and partners for the resources they are providing to enable us to continue and expand our mission. Thank you Direct Relief International!