kdriscoll's blog

On February 22, 2011, New Zealand experienced a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on the country’s southern island. Global DIRT responded to this quake by sending volunteers to the country within a few hours of the incident. The team experienced multiple aftershocks as they assisted local volunteers in Christchurch to distribute and sort supplies, geotag devastated areas and dig out homes. Additionally, the team brought a water purification unit to supply affected areas with clean, safe, potable water.

This was to be my second trip volunteering in Haiti. The first was an eye opening experience, both horrifying and inspiring. The people of Haiti have been dealt a hand that is for most impossible to comprehend; yet they continue to smile and laugh and want nothing more than to work and be part of their solution. My time there was a short two weeks, but the day I left I knew I would be back.

We all know about the great need for doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters and trained hands on the ground in Haiti. Many potential volunteers are eager to help in the aftermath of all that Haiti has suffered but simply lack medical training. And for many, the time commitment to fly to Haiti and work in the country is simply too much with the hectic life of home and work. However, we can still help Haiti, even if we are incapable of getting into the country and doing the manual labor ourselves.

The recent and rapidly growing epidemic of cholera in Northern Haiti has grabbed the attention of the Global DIRT medical team. We have already sent a team to Artibonite to gather information and assess which specific aid will be required in the area. Primarily, Global DIRT hopes to install a Noah Water Purification System in the affected area to clean up the drinking water of the displaced persons and curb further outbreaks of cholera. The NOMAD Purification system is capable of producing 136,000 liters of potable water daily.