Health and Safety Guidelines For Workers Responding to the Haitian Disaster

With the mounds of rubble and the climbing death toll in Haiti, a massive worldwide relief effort is on. The tragedy is urging compassionate people everywhere to give to relief efforts and go as helpers themselves. But all workers in Haiti need to consider their own health and safety first. And no traveler is more at risk than an international relief worker. So here are some things you should consider before leaving for Haiti.

1. Protect your own health first. A healthy relief worker is a helpful relief worker, so do whatever you can to ensure your own health. This includes talking to your doctor about the immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These are:

measles/mumps/rubella (MMR),
diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT),
polio,
seasonal and H1N1 flu, varicella,
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) (even if only one dose is possible at this time),
Typhoid (injectable preferred),
Hepatitis B (one dose may provide some protection, an accelerated schedule of 21 days is recommended),
Tetanus shots are of great importance.
If you plan to go to Haiti but your travel time is some time in the future, now is the time to talk to your doctor. Immunizations require a schedule, and knowing when to get them is as important as knowing what to get.

There are also diseases in Haiti for which there is no immunization. Learn how to avoid these. Pack long sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toed shoes. Secure insect repellent that contains one of the following ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD or IR3535. Consider these measures part of your health routine because of the danger of contracting malaria and dengue fever. Also take personal medical supplies for minor injuries like band-aids and disinfectant ointment. Infection sets in more rapidly in Haiti’s hot climate.

2. Check on secure accommodations. There is also danger of contracting malaria and dengue fever if you do not sleep in screened accommodations or a mosquito net. These are serious diseases not to be taken lightly. Also, thieves would think nothing of injuring a foreigner, which can cause international issues for the Haitian government. The best way for relief workers to help the Haitian people is to see to their own safety first.

3. Bring food, water and sanitation supplies. The NGO you are going to Haiti with should help with this, but ask about their arrangements. With so few supplies on hand, bringing your own supplies is important. Hand sanitizer gel and toilet paper should also be on the list. Make sure you eat well-cooked or pre-packaged food while in Haiti. Fruits and vegetables should be peeled by you or skipped altogether. Water should be bottled with no broken seal or boiled for 20 minutes. This also applies to water used for shaving, teeth brushing, ice cubes and washing dishes. These safety precautions can not be over emphasized.

4. Include travel insurance in your plans. If you become injured while in Haiti, the cost of medical evacuation to the US is high at any time. With the crisis, it is even more expensive. Take all the precautions you can not to become a casualty, but do not assume that you will not get injured. Check with a travel insurance broker before you go.

Author: Miriam Sirag
Source: ezinearticles.com