In Haiti, the needs are great and the resources are few. In 2000, The Haiti Connection organized to build coalitions; offer opportunities for collaborative educational, medical, and spiritual projects; and to provide information about the resources available to non-profits and NGOs. Our web site is one of the largest directories of resources for groups who work in Haiti. Each month we answer  hundreds of e-mail requests  for referrals, some for ill or injured children.  Associates  realized health care organizations  often did  not know what services each provided or where.  There was no  directory of the groups. Some services were duplicated while many areas had little  health care.

  There was/is a need for increased communication. In the past year, directors of the Association Medicale Haitienne, Catholic Medical Mission Board, Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, World Relief, International Child Care, Management Sciences for Health , The Haiti Connection, and other groups,  priortized  needs,  provided ideas for solutions,  and offered advice on how to initiate the  solutions.                                    

  The Connection will  establish a Haiti Health Coalition web site directory of over 1,000 health care organizations, cross referenced for the name, their specialty, and  location where they work in Haiti. The Connection will add hundreds of additional resporces to its web site, that will be linked to the Health Coalition site. The  resources will include  educational materials for clinications and patients, best practices to establish clinics and build hospitals,  and contacts to get medical supplies and equiptment. We will establish a referral network for children with burns, club feet, cleft lips and palates. Medical specialists will provide opportunites to use their expertise and to "show one, do one, teach one".

  The Haiti Connection is the primary contact for the Haiti Health Coalition's 10-15 member advisory group that will communicate via e-mail to exchange ideas. In   January 2009, we will began a seris of meetings in Haiti to  present each group's projects and plans. The meetings will generate additional ideas and plans. We will co-sponsor an annual conference  to provide opportunities for continuing medical education, collaboration on projects, and short courses on administration and program plans.