In the Community
January 15, 2010
Kaiser Permanente Donates $500,000 to Agencies on the Ground in Haiti
Kaiser Permanente has donated $500,000 to four nonprofit agencies that are already on the ground providing much-needed aid to the people of Haiti following Tuesday’s devastating earthquake.
All four organizations — Doctors Without Borders, Relief International, Operation USA, and MedShare International — have longstanding relationships with Kaiser Permanente and numerous Kaiser Permanente caregivers nationwide.
When an area’s infrastructure has been badly damaged following a disaster and communications are difficult, as is the case in Haiti, local communities can be overwhelmed by an influx of people and supplies. Thus, the best and most efficient way to help is with financial support to reputable relief organizations. As such, Kaiser Permanente’s physicians and employees have been encouraged to contribute to these four agencies. We encourage you to consider doing the same:
Kaiser Permanente has worked closely with all four organizations following previous disasters, including the Southeast Asia tsunami in 2004 and earthquake in 2006, the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005, and following wildfires in Southern California in multiple years. In addition, Kaiser Permanente has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars, and hundreds of volunteers, for five consecutive years to rebuild the Gulf Coast region devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
Some Kaiser Permanente physicians and nurses who are trained in disaster relief already have departed for Haiti on behalf of aid organizations with which they have affiliated. A blog has been launched, "Dispatches from Haiti," to help them share their experiences. As needs arise, Kaiser Permanente will be ready to provide further resources and emergency caregivers.
Members of the media who need more information can contact the National Media Hotline at 510-271-5953.
