In the very early hours of Saturday morning, June 3rd, a gigantic storm in the mountains of western Haiti caused a massive flash flood that engulfed the city of Léogâne. When a nearby river overflowed its banks, the entire city was flooded with water reaching nearly 8 feet in some areas. Most residents barely had time to climb to their roofs for safety, and most lost all their possessions. The death toll from this tragedy has not yet been counted.

At Holy Cross Hospital (HSC), the night nursing staff evacuated patients and the neonatal nursery to the hospital’s second floor where all the patients were gathered together on mattresses in the hallways.

All patient care areas, diagnostic services and administration offices located on the hospital’s main floor received 4 – 6 feet of water. The pharmacy, lab, OR, radiology, neonatal nursery, OB and patient wards flooded with mud, leaving most supplies and equipment a total loss.

Cleanup began this morning as the hospital recovers. There is an urgent need to purchase drugs and lab supplies, especially since due to the flood there is a complete lack of any medication or emergency supplies in the region.

MBF has established special emergency funds to cover the hospital’s immediate clean out and sanitation. There will also be special funds for pharmaceuticals, lab supplies and equipment, radiology, patient care and medical supplies. In addition, a special fund will be set up for hospital staff living in Léogâne who lost all of their personal belongings.