Several new sites containing information on the situation following Haiti’s earthquake have recently been released.
The National Library of Medicine’s site, at http://disaster.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/haitiearthquake.html, lists new web pages about the Haiti earthquake situation from both government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). There is also a section on Haitian Creole and French-language materials. Links to background information on earthquakes and subsequent health issues, such as public health assessments, emergency surgical care, and management of dead bodies, are included. The page will continue to expand and will add a section on hazards from concrete dust and other airborne particulates from the collapsed buildings and subsequent clean-up activities.
In addition, the AAMC has been asked by the federal government to serve as conduit for information to the academic medical community, which is mobilizing quickly to assist in the relief effort. As in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a new page on their Web site (www.aamc.org/haiti) has been created to serve as a reliable source of information that includes notices, fact sheets, and other resource and information from the U.S. government; links to the many relief efforts underway at member institutions; and a list of organizations that are accepting charitable contributions. The page will be updated regularly as new information arrives.