NOTE: UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer wants UNMC to play an active role in the recovery effort in Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake. Here is a letter he sent to all faculty, students and staff today. If media would like to find out more about UNMC’s efforts to support Haiti’s recovery, please contact Tom O’Connor, public relations, 402-559-4690 or 402-650-7063. Thank you.
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TO: All faculty, students and staff
As you know, Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake on Tuesday. It is estimated that more than 3 million Haitians have been impacted with thousands believed to be dead.
The earthquake is considered to be one of the worst disasters in the past century and will require months – and probably years – for Haiti to recover.
Since Haiti is a very poor country with limited resources, its recovery will require the support of people around the world.
I want UNMC to be an active participant in helping Haiti bounce back from this horrible catastrophe.
I have asked two of our top administrators – Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., M.P.H., dean of the College of Public Health – to spearhead this effort on our campus. They will develop a centralized plan for responding to the disaster.
Dr. Pamies is a native of Haiti and has family who live there. Dr. El-Mohandes has many years of experience in global health efforts. They are exploring the best options for UNMC to make a difference in this relief effort.
Obviously, financial donations will be vital to helping Haiti especially in these early stages of recovery. A number of organizations, including the American Red Cross’ International Response Fund, have been established for the relief effort and are receiving financial contributions. We are trying to determine a comprehensive list of other agencies involved and will share this list with you in the near future if you wish to make a monetary contribution.
A separate list of agencies involved in the recovery and relief effort also will be shared at a later date if any of you would prefer to volunteer your time and expertise or donate materials and supplies. We will continue to monitor incoming information and make this available to you in a timely manner.
I encourage all of you to show compassion for this country and what it is going through. Your support can help Haiti get back on its feet after this devastating blow.
UNMC has always done its part to pitch in when disasters occur. I’m sure many of you remember how the medical center answered the call when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005.
I know UNMC has much to offer in the Haiti relief effort. We will keep you posted on what you can do in the days to come.
Thanks in advance for your support. I know UNMC will set the bar for the rest of our community in helping our friends in Haiti.
Sincerely,
Harold M. Maurer, M.D.
Chancellor