The devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday has left the country in utter chaos, according to numerous eyewitnesses on the ground. Much of the country was reported to be in the dark without electricity Wednesday night.

The death toll estimates range in the hundreds of thousands, with the survivors facing a bleak future in what was already the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. A major hospital in the capital of Port-au-Prince was said to have been severely damaged, and emergency medical services appear to be occurring on an ad hoc basis for the most part. A poor infrastructure of inadequate and now ruined roads is expected in impede aid distribution.

DOTmed News is currently using mass media pool reports for the latest updates, and is trying to reach our registered users in the country for first-hand accounts of the situation, although we do not know if or when that will be possible, as most phone numbers we have are work numbers, and it likely will be days or weeks before business returns to anything like normal levels.
Those who want to help the victims are being asked to donate money, not goods, as relief needs can be best met by local emergency volunteers. We would also recommend that you wait a day or two before you contribute to any charity, as relief efforts in this emergency are just being mounted and the most efficient way to help the citizens of Haiti has not be determined. And please be wary of scam artists; unfortunately there are despicable people who would use this horrific tragedy to make a few dollars off compassionate people -- only give to recognized relief organizations. (See https://www.dotmed.com/news/story/11299)

DOTmed News will post updates as the situation changes in Haiti, and anyone who has information that can be of help should contact us at: feedback@dotmed.com

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