The First 72 Hours ~ and Haiti Update

The e mails have been flying back and forth about which disaster teams are needed in Haiti and which organizations are going in and doing what.  Lots of discussions on FaceBook about all the arguing amongst the National Animal Rescue organizations.  Most interesting are the insights from fellow rescuers who have been to Haiti in the past:    "It's a very different culture in 3rd world countries. Any livestock or animals that survived, will be eaten by the starving population. There won't be anything to rescue."  Haiti is Haiti, but there is a team on the ground now doing an assessment.  The humanitarian aid for the human population is having a difficult time getting in and there is a problem with just basic security.   Another e mail I recieved was asking for first responders with law enforcement training to volunteer to do security details with the humanitarian cargo that is being shipped to Haiti.  
A few facts that you need to know and pay attention to:
As in most disasters, as a VICTIM it is imperitive to be able to survive on your own for the first 72 hours. That's about how long it takes for the very first group of rescuers to land on the scene.    Takes THEM that long to get there.  Takes that long to organize a good strike force that can equip itselves that fast, with food, water and basic equipment to be able to be the very first responders on the scene.      Every disaster is different, but all are the same in the amount of time it will take to get to any victims in any disasters. 72 hours is the minimum.   Make sure that YOU have enough food, water and basic necessities to always be able to make it 72 hours until someone could come to your aid.  With all the natural and man made disasters in the USA, it is imperitaive that we all have a working disaster plan for our own families, animals and livestock.

In addition to the organizations I listed yesterday, another trust worthy animal organization is going to Haiti:
In Defense of Animals.
Please take a look at their home page to get all the info:    http://www.idausa.org/

ALSO, WSPA and IFAW made this announcement today:
http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_international/media_center/press_releases/1_15_2010_59848.php

The American Humane Association ( AHA )  just issued this statement:
"American Humane has joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), a group of professional animal welfare organizations working together to achieve the best possible outcome for animals in the region. The coalition is led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA ) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare ( IFAW ).
Currently, our team members are not on the ground in Haiti, due to restricted access in the country, but we are providing significant funding support to the coalition. The coalition’s plans include saving the goats, chickens and cattle crucial to people’s health and livelihoods, providing food and clean water, and vaccinating companion animals against rabies."

If any of you have other updates, I would be glad to post them here.
To you who are donating or volunteering,    Thank you.