cbm Canada Responding to Growing Number of Survivors with Disabilities in Haiti

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January 19, 2010

cbm Canada Responding to Growing Number
of Survivors with Disabilities in Haiti

Numbers are catastrophic
For every child that has died in the Haiti earthquake, three will be left with lifelong disabilities.  In the aftermath of this disaster, the number of surgical amputations is astounding. 

With more than 200,000 estimated dead, and 1.5 million homeless, this disaster presents a new challenge to relief agencies.

“Unlike the tsunami in South Asia, the number of survivors coping with loss of limbs, loss of sight, and other disabilities is catastrophic,” says Ed Epp, Executive Director, cbm Canada.

For more than 100 years, cbm Canada’s mission has been to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world, including Haiti. The nonprofit organization has been helping more than 80,000 people with disabilities in Haiti each year, since 1976. 

“With partner organizations and hospitals in Haiti, cbm is providing immediate medical attention, and is well positioned to provide long term development solutions for those with disabilities,” says Epp.

cbm is also urging other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) now working in Haiti to be a voice for those struggling to survive, especially those with disabilities.

“It’s a matter of life and death, of human rights and justice,” says Epp. “This is the time to give serious consideration to the needs of all people in Haitian society, especially those left with permanent disabilities. Even before the earthquake the number of Haitians living with disabilities numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Now, the numbers are staggering.  cbm is there to help, now and for the long haul.” 

To make a donation to help those in desperate need in Haiti, the public can call 1-800-567-2264, or visit cbm Canada’s web site: www.cbmcanada.org. Every dollar contributed for earthquake relief to cbm Canada will be matched by CIDA for Haiti relief efforts.

A leading international Christian humanitarian organization, cbm works to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world.  

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Editors note:  cbm’s emergency relief specialists are available for interviews from Port-au-Prince, via satellite phone.  

cbm Canada
www.cbmcanada.org
3844 Stouffville Road
Stouffville, ON L4A7Z9
1.800.567.2264