Beurocracy

Wed. Jan 20, what a day! Although I didn't see many patients, it was nonetheless eventful. The pastor and I joined a political convoy into Haiti, and I met Jean-Claude Deliz, the Haitian secretary of agriculture, I also met the Mayor of Crois de Bouquet(CdB), the largest city outside of Port au Prince(PaP), they have no water or food. I arrived out of Jimani Dom.R it is full of refugees with amputations, the realm of Orthopedics, I was told they needed trauma doctors in PaP, so I decided to ride with missionaries and a Dom.R politician across the border. I got stuck in a meeting speaking French and Spanish for an hour or so with diplomats, God awful, I was appointed a Creole Interpreter, "Darling" is her actual name. I am now helping the Haitian Government officials on public health issues, but more importantly as a go-between for them and the UN. Their biggest concern was water, I assured them I could get them some if they took me to the UN compound. I got into the UN compound with my military ID, and introduced the Haitian diplomats to officials at the UN, and they got lots of water and water containers. Logistics, organization, coordination and leadership in Haiti is nonexistent. Nobody knows what to do or where to go, there are so mmany government and NGO's trying to do their own thing, but very little communication. I could have done a lot more, but the beurocratic walls are difficult to traverse. I camped out in the UN compound that night, Wed. Jan 20, next to the motor pool, in a group of tents, with Doctors, policemen, and aid workers. It would be my home for the next 8 days. That night I assumed the care of 3 orphans from some American Doctors, who assumed them from US Federal Agents at the airport. That's OK, we have room in our tent, but after we bring the orphans to UNICEF in the am, I think I'll be looking for a field hospital to set up shop....g