The White Helmets humanitarian mission arrived in Haiti

On Thursday 20 October, a humanitarian mission composed of White Helmets volunteers and professionals of the National Directorate for Health Emergencies —coordinated by the White Helmets Commission of the Argentine Foreign Ministry— arrived in Haiti. The mission commenced its humanitarian assistance activities in Port-au-Prince at the Argentine Mobile Field Hospital, which is part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Members of the non-governmental organization Red Solidaria will arrive today.

With the aim of alleviating the suffering of the Haitian people after the damage caused by hurricane Matthew, which left 1.4 million people in need of assistance, the White Helmets mission will go to Jérémie to strengthen the installed operational capacities and the provision of primary healthcare services, as well as to deliver additional drugs and water purification tablets. This will supplement the cargo sent by Argentina last week, which consisted of 1445 blankets, 289 personal hygiene kits, and 90 boxes of water purification tablets, enough to purify 18 million litres of water and satisfy the basic needs of 102,000 people for 60 days.

The Mission responds to the calls of the international community and the UN Secretary General and is headed by the President of the White Helmets Commission, Alejandro Daneri. It is also composed of Carlos Russo, Director of the National Directorate for Health Emergencies (DINESA); María Cristina Lozano, Medical Coordinator of DINESA; María del Valle Paul, a specialist in emergency medicine; two nurses, and three experts in logistics.

The Mission is also made up of Juan Carr, a social worker and founder of the NGO Red Solidaria, and Carlos “Chapa” Retegui, the coach of the Argentine male hockey team and trainer of young community leaders, who will join the Argentine Humanitarian Mission today to hand out school bags and supplies to Haitian children.

Press Release No. 352/16

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