Hurricane in Haiti

Dear Weill Cornell Medicine Community,

I am writing to update you on the impact of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, where Weill Cornell Medicine maintains a longstanding partnership with the medical organization GHESKIO. GHESKIO provides primary care services and treatment for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and cholera to patients free of charge, and it played an instrumental role in relief efforts following the earthquake that devastated the country in 2010. Dr. Jean Pape, a Professor in the Weill Cornell Center for Global Health and GHESKIO’s founder, is currently in Port-au-Prince and is leading Weill Cornell Medicine’s hurricane relief efforts.

Fortunately, all Weill Cornell Medicine faculty and staff based at GHESKIO are safe. The center sustained significant, but not overwhelming, damage from flooding. However, severe destruction occurred in the southern part of the country, which is causing an influx of refugees to the poor neighborhoods near GHESKIO. With widespread flooding in the area, there is serious concern about lack of clean water and the spread of cholera.

My thoughts go out to the many people in Haiti who have been affected yet again by natural disaster, as well as to the hundreds of thousands estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance. I am incredibly proud of Weill Cornell Medicine’s team in Haiti, which is working diligently with GHESKIO to provide continued medical care and aid to patients and refugees.

Please consider making a contribution to Weill Cornell Medicine to support GHESKIO’s relief efforts (give.weill.cornell.edu). Please note in the online form that you want your donation directed to GHESKIO’s relief efforts, and all funds will go to Haiti.

The faculty, staff, and students of Weill Cornell Medicine stand by the people of Haiti in this time of need. Thank you for your support.

With my best wishes,
Augustine M.K. Choi, M.D.
Interim Dean, Weill Cornell Medical College
Interim Provost for Medical Affairs, Cornell University
Weill Chair, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine

Photo: CNN