“Boots-On-The-Ground” Team Leader

I thought that the Tsunami of 2004 would be the most tragic and devastating event in terms of lost human lives and destruction I would witness in my life. I was wrong.  This disaster is far worse than the Tsunami – There is more devastation and seemingly less resources to help.

Day One: The team arrives in Dominican Republic We are immediately able to increase the team by adding two disaster experienced personnel assigned to us by the U.S. Marine Corps.  Two guys that are going to secure travel zones for us to travel in and work with us in Haiti – Jo and Jordan.

Day Two: Secured flights on two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters which flew us directly to U.S. embassy grounds in the middle of Port au Prince – the medicine; Calcium Chloride which was urgently needed for treating crush syndrome victims was delivered to Dr. Baker of California Task Force 2.–Dr. Baker later reported: “The medicine saved lives.”

Many pickup trucks driving by carrying heaps of bodies.

Stayed the night on embassy grounds – We were the only Non-governmental organization allowed to stay on Embassy Grounds.

Day Three: Secured transportation and made our way to World Emergency Relief-UK’s project partner and contact of many years, Pastor Astrel Vincent of the  Good Samaritan School. –The team delivered medical supplies, food, water, cash – Pastor Vincent was running a refugee camp for 2,000 refugees.  The school is located in Cite Soleil, Haiti’s most notorious slum and had little resources.  This area is a “RED Zone” due to the level of danger and violence. The needs are great. Our help is desperately needed and utilized.

Unlike our 2004 Tsunami relief efforts, we are unable to drive to areas where we could purchase resources.  It is difficult to secure transportation.  There isn’t enough infrastructure to allow relief workers to perform many of the necessary work that needs to be done.  Finding supplies is going to be difficult.

The city of Port-au-Prince has become a cemetery.  So many missing – buried under tons of rubble and concrete mass.  The smell is unbearable.  Thousands of people sleeping in the streets.

Day Four: Picked up supplies of food and medicine.  The team, partially consisting of high voltage linemen from San Diego based Sempra Energy who specialize in power and electrical,  visited the main power plant “Carr Four” and surveyed the situation, assessed damages, and developed resolutions.

As our next preplanned “mission goal” headed to International Faith Missions  (IFM), located on border of Haiti/Dominican Republic –  drove hours  through road blocks, and debris, often times having to get out of the vehicles to move large blocks of concrete, downed power poles, rubble from shattered buildings, trees and other obstacles.   IFM pointed us to a school that had become a medical facility and with IFM we traveled down the road.

We immediately began working between the two locations IFM and a nearby- devastated school “Love A Child” – Prior to the earthquake “Love A Child” was a school educating K-12^th grade.  The owner of the property offered the building and school yard – allowing us to create a large clinic/triage/surgery camp.

We helped turn the school into a makeshift clinic.  There were dozens of people needing medical attention. It was a desperate  situation.  About ten minutes after our arrival a bus pulled up with more survivors in need of medical care.  Our team carried injured victims from the bus onto the school grounds and  began field triage, medical care and first aid.

There is so much sorrow in the air.  People lining the streets crying – sobbing.  People still alive under the rubble and little resources to dig them out.

More trucks transporting bodies – massive grave sites are being dug for burials.

Brutally hot again today…

The team isn’t getting much rest but we cannot afford any downtime –down time means the difference between life and death to these victims.

Day Five: Relocated to “Love A Child” compound where the team set up a makeshift clinic..

We were able to purchase more supplies including wire, electric bulbs, and other power supplies.  We reloaded our supplies of water from the Marines at the airport and met with the head of the power company. After drawing up basic plans for the power company to restore power, the Team set up quarters in tents on the compound. We strung lights throughout the buildings, fixed the bathrooms, and ensured the compound could function. A young girl of about eight years of age who was being moved to our facility for more surgeries touched my heart.  She had just arrived from having her leg amputated below the knee.  Within three days they re-amputated above the knee.

Finally, supplies are coming in.  Tents, water, food and medicine.  We are able to purchase medicine and generators, deliver, and set up the much-needed equipment..

We all spent a good part of today treating patients.  Carrying patients off the bus, moving patients into the tents we set up, dressing cuts, taking blood pressure, One little boy – about three years old had severe head injury and a possible broken jaw – we were able to spoon feed this little guy some applesauce.  Many times through the day our team found themselves doing our most important job of all… wiping tears.

With so many people, volunteers and dozens of injured victims we had to create a sewage system.  Fun day today – spend a good part of the day doing what we do – Whatever needs to be done.  Under the hot sun our team spent hours digging a latrine that would help with sanitation issues.

Showers are sponge baths with very little water.  Wet hair, soap and rinse – quick.

Slight sprinkle at night – no hard rain.

Day Six: Team member Simmons ill… performed a field I.V. and ran three bags of fluids through him.  Put him on bed rest. Team unloaded trucks of supplies including bedding, food, water and tents.  We unloaded our gear into the auditorium of the school.  Jo, our volunteer who we picked up in the Dominican Republic, had to leave the team. He will be missed.

Hot and humid – over 90 degrees

The ground continues to shake.  Those whose homes were not destroyed are forced to sleep outside in fear that any moment the ground will shake and their home will become their grave.

We sleep in shifts – the ground shakes and we continue to receive busloads of patients through the night.

Huge tarantulas crawling through the camps at night – biggest spiders I’ve ever seen.

Day Seven: set up more tents fifteen of which are to be used as triage rooms  – tents were filled with only patients – the hospital is expanding very rapidly.

Went to meet up with supplies coming if from Rescue Task Force headquarters in San Diego.  In delivering supplies to a makeshift clinic  discovered a new mother of triplets needed formula . She was malnourished and unable to breast feed. The 1 ½ day old babies were on death’s bed. Hunted/searched for baby formula for over six hours until finally we located and purchased enough formula to sustain the babies for at least a month.

Other food and medicines were purchased and delivered to various clinics in route.

Assembled dozens of care kits (buckets that had hygiene – soap, shampoo, toothpaste and more.)

Ground shook again a few times today… We were purchasing supplies in town during today’s shaking.  Across the street was a two-story structure.  When the ground started shaking we heard a giant rumble and screams.  The building began to crumble and collapse.  Dust could be seen rising throughout the city. People were panicking and scrambling. Three people jumped from the second story of the building rather than risk being buried alive.  One man broke his back in the jump and another man suffered compound fractures.

“Guys’ we have only been here a week” – it felt like we have been here for months.

No showers – very hot days and team is cold at night

Day Eight: Team members Simmons, Fleming, Martinez II wired up a second building’s electricity to enable more doctors to work around the clock and utilize surgery equipment requiring power.

Went to wire up the downtown clinic providing electricity to hundreds of doctors and volunteer work around the clock.

Darryl dropped off specialized medicines that had been requested by Pastor Vincent at the Good Samaritan School.

Dropped Jordan off at airport. While there CNN asked to do a interview and on the way back made a quick stop at CNN headquarters. Although we didn’t have time for an interview, I knew that it might bring in much needed funds to Rescue Task Force. The disaster relief work in Haiti, and other parts of the world including their work in the US, is ongoing and funds are needed.

Garcia stayed at base camp tending to patients all day administering pain meds, changing dressings, carrying patients, moving I.V.’s.

Didn’t sleep well – huge earthquake last night – have to fight mosquitoes to use the restroom.

Funerals take place in the streets.  Families are dressed in clean, black clothing.  They walk behind a hearse carrying a family member that has passed.

Biggest spider I have ever seen now camps every night at the top of my tent – I named him “Tee Pee” – He perched at the top of my tent.

Day Nine: packed up camp – finished loose ends at camp so we could move.  Organized relief doctors, set up additional tents. People upset but we need to set up for others. Mission must move forward. Lives are at stake.

Went to another clinic and delivered food and medicine, set up a huge tent for Catholic nuns, and delivered mattresses for them. One of the nuns had survived the earthquake by jumping out a second story window suffering multiple breaks in her leg.

Returned to “Love a Child” to pick up more medicine and supplies previously left there.  On my way to the truck, I noticed the bus unloading patients.  Many were being transported on mattresses.  As they were offloading, a young girl caught my eye – It looked like the young girl that had had her leg amputated twice.  The volunteers laid the mattress on the ground and the surgeon was standing over her.  I asked if it was the same girl.  My heart broke as he shook his head yes.  This poor child had suffered infection and as a result underwent a third amputation and her leg had to be amputated at mid-thigh.  Her little body was so broken.  I wanted so badly to bring her home.

None of the patients can recover inside of buildings. The unstable structures are life threatening.  Tents are used as recovery rooms.  People, doctors, nurses, volunteers, and patients felt safer on the grass than inside any building.

Made another pass by Good Samaritan School and set up tents, dropped off mattresses and more medicine for Pastor Vincent.

Arrived at US Army’s 82^nd Airborne. Assessed the refugee camp at the bottom of the hill for their needs. 40,000 people stay there during the day and over 70,000 people are there during the night.

Joined the officer in charge and other officers in an Intel meeting where they requested that RTF run electricity and lights.  With over 70,000 people in one area and no light rapes, theft and other acts of violence were occurring.  The 82^nd Airborne wanted RTF to run lights through the camps – four total.  Assigned to RTF was a  military security team to protect the RTF team while they worked.

Set up camp on a tennis court and then attended another meeting that evening to lay out our plans.

Day Ten: Picked up supplies and generator. Prewired refugee camp sites One and Two were completed with lighting.   Having electricity and lights in the camp made for a very quiet night that night… crime had minimized and there was peace.

Day Eleven: completed stringing lights through refugee camp sites Three and Four. Hot day – climbing trees, wiring electrical and connecting to generators.   Went to “Love a Child” to pick up medicine.  At this point “Love a Child” now has a dozen large tents set up for patients and busses are still coming in dropping off injured victims from hard hit Port-Au-Prince. “Love A Child” has transformed the auditorium into a distribution warehouse and we are able to load/unload supplies and distribute medicines and food throughout Haiti to dozens of make shift clinics.

Doctors from the refugee camp needed specific medicines – I.V. equipment pain killer, suture kits, antibiotics and more.  Filled their “needs list” and delivered supplies to additional different clinic areas.

With the medicines that come in we make “Goodie Bags” full of a variety of miscellaneous medicines and medical supplies.  Each “Bag” is filled with pain killers, bandages, Tylenol, antibiotics, I.V.’s, band-aids, suture kits and more.  We distributed these “Goodie Bags” to various clinics throughout Haiti that we have been working with.

Headquarters meeting with 82^nd Airborne to prepare for our departure.

Day Twelve: Packed up camp. Handed over personal and emergency supplies to Jenkins/Penn Haiti Relief Organization (J/P HRO) who are remaining in the area. – Left behind pocket knives, flash lights, lighting equipment, tents and whatever else could be used.

Purchased and delivered food and care kits (containers that had hygiene – soap, shampoo, toothpaste and more) – broke-up the group into three teams to deliver to various NGO’s that were in need.

Purchased more generators and delivered electrical supplies to the “Love a Child compound.”

One car broke down… Waited hours for repair.

It’s hard to think we are leaving… there is still so much to do…

Waited at airport in Port-au-Prince – Jumped from military flight to commercial after talking with a pilot – this allowed us to fly into Miami and not into a military base.  – Flew out late at night arriving Miami early morning

Day Thirteen: In Miami Hot showers, warm meal and rest.

Day Fourteen: HOME. Before exiting the plane I asked each one of the team if they had the opportunity would they do it again and unanimously – each one said “I’m there… just tell me when!” There is so much need.

That team is now home.   Today as you read this, Rescue Task Force and World Emergency Relief are sending over 4.3 million dollars worth of medicines, tents, food and more to Haiti.  The needs are great.  Please help keep the supplies moving.

Jose Garcia

I would have stayed for a month or longer. When went to the last camp at “Love a child and they needed more help stringing more lights.  I offered to stay longer. We spent a lot of time at this school that was transformed into a major clinic site.

Lots of supplies were coming into the clinic and were able to securely store medical supplies.

The difference the electricity made was lighting up the walkways at night.  People could walk on uneven ground and especially the injured walking with crutches.  We secured the pathways by stringing light and enabled the doctors to work around the clock.

They needed our help in a big way…  We were carrying injured people. .  Trailers arrived and were used as operating rooms.  We would transfer the patients to the operating table and when they were complete we would carry them back into tents.

After the doctors would see them we carried them from one tent to another.  We spent a lot of time carrying and moving injured patients.

I felt that we did the most good was when I helped the little kids with no arms or amputated legs down the hill into to the tents so they could have a place to sleep.  Some had parents with them but many had been separated from their families.  Tents were designated by severity and injury.  The families slept on mattresses on the ground under tarps.

I brought food and water to the patients, helped treat and comfort them.

There was this specific little girl that was missing her leg.  I carried her from the doctors all the way to the tent.  I tried to comfort her. You could see her expression on her face.  She was sad and in pain.  I brought her food and water and tried to comfort the mother.

We made a difference in the camp!  A huge difference.

Since Gary D. Becks founded the Rescue Task Force in 1988, he and volunteers for the Carlsbad-based nonprofit relief organization have traveled the world bringing aid to victims of natural and man-made disasters. Last year, the agency merged with World Emergency Relief and most recently sent a team to Haiti.

Question: What inspired you to start the Rescue Task Force?

Answer: I was raised and brought up with “old-time religion” morals and mentality. My mother was always volunteering her time in church and was a mentor to my sister and me in “giving back.” As a fire battalion commander, I went on a volunteer mission deep into the jungles of Honduras’ Mosquito Coast. I quickly found myself in a canoe paddling and wading through swamps to alleviate suffering in tiny villages. Our relief team was overwhelmed. … I looked around at the vast jungles, the hundreds of families in need, the distance we traveled, and it hit me hard: “Where is everyone?” Where are the Americans?”

Question: When did you decide to quit your job and dedicate all your time to this effort?

Answer: I brought the stories home to my family. I have four children, and with their support, we decided to leave the life we knew and move full-force into our new life of putting out fires on a bigger scale. No regrets. No looking back — we have a world to save, and we are doing that — one village, one disaster, one heart, one life at a time.

Question: How many relief missions have you gone on?

Answer: My daughter, Andrea Stone, and I have spent many years as a father-daughter team responding to disasters, building clinics, providing clean water and more. Together we are on our 294th mission and counting. I have been to just about every man-made disaster: Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan and to natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. However, to many people of the world, every day is a disaster.

Question: What was your most emotional visit?

Answer: There are many emotions with every mission: disaster relief, medical/dental teams, shipping lifesaving supplies. … One that will live with me forever was visiting the severely war-wounded at U.S. military hospitals. We provide them with backpacks filled with entertainment and personal comfort items. After visiting with a 22-year-old Marine who had lost both arms and one leg, I witnessed his dad there tenderly caring for him. My gift was bigger than a backpack. I was giving him the gift of thanks and appreciation. He was not forgotten. Leaving his hospital room, I headed straight for the parking lot. I had a good cry, and not a moment goes by that I don’t appreciate our country, our soldiers and those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms.

Question: What images stay with you?

Answer: I would have to say the children — the discomforts they endure with parasites; bloated bellies and malnutrition. Seeing a lethargic, weak little life just hanging on, one shallow breath at a time, for what is as simple as a $1 dose of worm medicine and clean water. If only we had enough money to save the world.

Question: What makes your organization different from the Red Cross or other emergency relief groups?

Answer: We do not have limits. There is no delay. … No red tape. We go where others do not, doing what others will not. We put in power, dig latrines, set up tents, search cities for baby formula, deliver emergency supplies via airboat, helicopter, canoe and mule — we do it all. One thing that sets us apart: We listen to needs. Many times our aid is given in the form of a simple hug or a shirt sleeve to wipe away painful tears.

Question: Where do your contributions come from?

Answer: About 80 percent from private individuals and the balance from businesses, churches, service clubs and the like.

Question: Could you describe your role in Haiti after the earthquake?

Answer: My daughter, Andrea, has done a phenomenal job of leading both a World Emergency Relief and “boots on the ground” Rescue Task Force team through this disaster. And we certainly aren’t done. We are shipping over $4.3 million of relief supplies to Haiti. These medicines, food and supplies will go to those in need — not into a warehouse at the airport. Guaranteed!

Question: Why did your daughter follow you in this line of work?

Answer: Andrea shares my gift. She, too, can feel and hear the needs from around the world. In her 37 years, she has lived more life than some people I know who are over 70. She was born with a heart condition and wasn’t supposed to live past age 3. Year after year she kept living, her heart compensating for her narrow veins. She has the scars to prove her battle to live and enough passion to save the world. Andrea’s first trip was just six months after undergoing her open-heart surgery.

Question: What do you personally get out of it?

Answer: The benefits are great — turning homelessness into shelter, fear into security. I get so much out of seeing life — lives touched, lives bettered and lives saved.

Question: How do you want to be remembered?

Answer: As a guy who enabled ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Most importantly, though, I will not be remembered. With time, the kids we see and the tears we dry will pass into distant memories. The villagers and victims will forget the names Rescue Task Force and World Emergency Relief. But they will never forget, during their time of need, the day that the Americans came.

This is one in an occasional series of Q&As that columnist Diane Bell conducts with newsmakers. If you have suggestions of people you would like her to interview, e-mail diane.bell@uniontrib.com.

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PROFILE

January 22, 2010
Carlsbad, California

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rana Kay
(619) 846-0448
Email: ranak@hardrockhotelsd.com

Andrea Stone
Tel: 760-930-9089
Cell: 619-991-3669
Email: andrea@rescuetaskforce.org

HARD ROCK HOTEL, SAN DIEGO – HELPING RESCUE TASK FORCE

HELPING HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

While Rescue Task Force team is “boots-on-the-ground” saving lives in Haiti – Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is right beside them to give support. On Friday, January 22, 2010, the Gaslamp establishment is hosting a fundraiser at its 207 nightclub in support of the Rescue Task Force team in Haiti.

Please Come and Dance to Save a Life.

WHO: Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s 207 Nightclub & Rescue Task Force

WHAT: Fundraiser for Haiti Earthquake Victims – Proceeds to Rescue Task Force

WHEN: Friday, January 22, 2010, 9 pm

WHERE: Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, 207 Nightclub. 207 5th Ave San Diego, CA 92101

VISUALS: San Diegans dancing for a cause as Hard Rock Hotel’s 207 nightlcub donates 100%
of its $20 door charge to Rescue task Force in support of Haiti Earthquake Victims.  Celebrity DJ Eric Cubeechee headlines.

Space is limited.  For more information go to: 207sd.com

Online donations may be made at http://www.wer-us.org/haiti-RFT-donation.html or

Send checks to:
Rescue Task Force
2270 Camino Vida Roble
Suite K
Carlsbad, CA 92011

Follow up-to-the-minute details on our team at:
Twitter.com/RescueTaskForce
Twitter.com/MorrowChris

Rescue Task Force Team in Haiti – CNN iReport: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-396996

####

Many organizations are responding to and seeking support for the Haiti disaster. Rescue Task Force’s experience of providing emergency disaster relief “Around the World, Around the Clock” for over 20 years means that victims will receive essential aid quickly.

Rescue Task Force is in the World Emergency Relief family of Charities.

January 21, 2010
Carlsbad, California
Contact: Andrea Stone
Tel: 760-930-9089
Cell: 619-991-3669
Email: andrea@rescuetaskforce.org
Follow CNN IREPORT: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-396996

MISSION TWO: ACCOMPLISHED

RESCUE TASK FORCE TEAM DELIVERS RESOURCES, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND MORE TO GOOD SAMARITAN SCHOOL

8:20 pm January 21st

Via phone, Darryl Hall, Team Leader, “There are a lot of people looking for supplies that are not here yet. We finished the School – giving them Food, Water, Medical Supplies. The School is still hurting. We are hearing lots of gunfire. Military on street corners. Still many bodies in the street and vehicles are being ambushed with roadblocks of bodies. The biggest thing is search & rescue but there are not many people helping with supplies. If we can somehow get the supplies we can get them to those who need it. We need Food, water, medical supplies, flashlights, batteries (power grids are still down). Having assessed things, they can use power crews with selected materials to get things going. Nothing is going to happen until we take care of the power. Doing the best we can with what we have.”

Andrea Stone, Rescue Task Forces Executive Officer says “One of our contacts told me tonight that Haiti is shifting gears. They are now meeting at off-site locations to transfer the supplies because people are watching orphanages, schools and refugee camps. Our team is traveling with two active duty military members. They will do whatever it takes to get the supplies in the hands and hearts of those in need.”

These are desperate requests for help – These are real. They need more – a lot more.

We have the WILL we just need the WAY. Will you be the way – the answer – the difference between life and death?

Please help us help these victims of this catastrophic event.

Haiti desperately needs us right now.

Please keep our team in prayer.

Online donations may be made at http://www.wer-us.org/haiti-RFT-donation.html or

Send checks to:
Rescue Task Force
2270 Camino Vida Roble
Suite K
Carlsbad, CA 92011

Follow up to the minute details on our team at:
Twitter.com/RescueTaskForce
Twitter.com/MorrowChris

####

Many organizations are responding to and seeking support for the Haiti disaster. Rescue Task Force’s experience of providing emergency disaster relief “Around the World, Around the Clock” for over 20 years means that victims will receive essential aid quickly.

Rescue Task Force is in the World Emergency Relief family of Charities.

January 21, 2010
Carlsbad, California
Contact: Andrea Stone
Tel: 760-930-9089
Cell: 619-991-3669
Email: andrea@rescuetaskforce.org

SAVING LIVES – MISSION ONE: ACCOMPLISHED
RESCUE TASK FORCE TEAM DELIVERS LIFE SAVING MEDICINE

Rescue Task Force (RTF) team has delivered urgently needed medicine to the US embassy, Port-au-Prince, for immediate dispersal to medical personnel. Four hundred doses of life saving calcium chloride, used for crush syndrome victims was one of the key medicines delivered. The RTF team was flown yesterday, after their arrival in the Dominican Republic, by military Black Hawk helicopter to the embassy for delivery of the medicine.

RTF got into the country quickly and began immediately assisting people in need by working with Global Reach and the Civil-Military Fusion Centre (www.cimicweb.org) in response to the Haiti earthquake.

The RTF Team has grown to eight members with the addition of two US military personnel. These additional personnel will help create a safe zone in which the RTF team will operate.

Because of the extraordinary efforts in getting these valuable medicines to Haiti, RTF was the only humanitarian allowed to set up a base camp for the night on embassy grounds.

The next mission is critical: Reach the Good Samaritan School compound where an initial 150 children being fed by a member of our family group of charities, World Emergency Relief – UK, has grown to over 2,000 people. They are in desperate need of food and other essential humanitarian supplies.

Via satellite phone, Darryl Hall, Team Leader, just in: “We spent last night in tents on the embassy grounds. We are not staying in structures – too unstable. The sleeping conditions are as expected: Huge mosquitoes and chilly at night. The faces, so many faces with concern and despair on them – it’s hard to explain. The entire city is running out of food. We have yet to find an open market. Long days and short nights. We plan to get supplies to Good Samaritan School and then head to the border. International Faith Mission has asked us to reestablish electricity for their headquarters. They are in need of medical supplies for their mobile medical clinics. We do not rest much – every minute is the difference between life and death. We are needed and welcomed wherever we go. I have never seen so many with pain in their eyes. Will they have food tomorrow? Next week? We are working – working so hard for everyone.”

Andrea Stone, Rescue Task Force’s Executive Officer, related, “In the fire department, a STRIKE FORCE is when one calls units that are the same i.e., a strike force of six ladder trucks would be six ladder trucks responding. A TASK FORCE is when one calls on six different units to respond i.e. one ladder, one engine, one water tanker, etc. Rescue Task Force is just that -rescue by simultaneous but different means of delivery. A Rescue Task Force team is one in which each member brings his own individual strength, expertise, compassion, experience and skill and then, in conjunction with the other team members, is able to bring these assets together to work toward set objectives. Our Rescue Task Force team on the ground in Haiti continues to make us proud.

It’s hard to sleep at night knowing there are many in pain. As they work tireless hours we in Carlsbad (headquarters) are also keeping the supplies and relief moving. We have 16,000 bottles of hand sanitizer on the way and we are working on several more containers of various supplies – depending on what is available for immediate shipping. We ask for your prayers for our team and our staff to stay strong as they continue our relief efforts.”

• • •

Your prayers and donations are needed, now!

It is as simple as that. The response to this tragedy cannot wait. Please help. Your help will alleviate suffering and save lives.

Haiti desperately needs us right now. The Haitian people are in so much pain. 80,000 have already been buried in mass graves. 200,000 is the expected death toll and this number continues to climb. Please help.

Please keep our team in prayer.

Online donations may be made at http://www.wer-us.org/haiti-RFT-donation.html or

Send checks to:
Rescue Task Force
2270 Camino Vida Roble
Suite K
Carlsbad, CA 92011

Follow up to the minute details on our team at:
Twitter.com/RescueTaskForce
Twitter.com/MorrowChris

###

Many organizations are responding to and seeking support for the Haiti disaster. Rescue Task Force’s experience of providing emergency disaster relief “Around the World, Around the Clock” for over 20 years means that victims will receive essential aid quickly.

Rescue Task Force is in the World Emergency Relief family of Charities.



January 20, 2010
Carlsbad, California
Contact: Andrea Stone
Tel: 760-930-9089
Cell: 619-991-3669
Email: andrea@rescuetaskforce.org

6.1 EARTHQUAKE HITS HAITI RESCUE TASK FORCE TEAM SHAKEN

World Emergency Relief’s Rescue Task Force (RTF) team does not slow down even when the ground below them is shaking.

RTF team is fine after a 6.1 earthquakes shakes the ground under their feet.

Team leader, Darryl Hall, reports, “Team is fine”.  They were prepared for aftershocks and have set up base camp in tents.  They are not staying inside of concrete structures.

With a 6.1 hitting an already unstable Port-au-Prince it is going to mean more tragedy.  Our Rescue Task Force team will have their work cut out for them.

“This is tragic news, this will mean more devastation and more lives need to be saved.  We have the best of the best over there in Haiti.  Darryl and the team are prepared to do whatever it takes to saves lives.  I have full faith in the entire team to bring that strength and compassion from their hearts and turn it into life saving in many ways.” – Andrea Stone Executive Officer

RTF is there “Around the World, Around the Clock”.

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

***This event supersedes event AT00398542.

Region: HAITI REGION
Geographic coordinates: 8.428N,  72.875W
Magnitude: 6.1 M
Depth: 9 km
Universal Time (UTC): 20 Jan 2010  11:03:44
Time near the Epicenter: 20 Jan 2010  06:03:44
Local standard time in your area: 20 Jan 2010  03:03:44

Location with respect to nearby cities:
41 km (26 miles) WNW (301 degrees) of Jacmel, Sud-Est, Haiti
49 km (31 miles) WSW (257 degrees) of Carrefour, Ouest, Haiti
59 km (36 miles) WSW (257 degrees) of PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti

National Earthquake Information Center

The Calcium Chloride the team is carrying is even more valuable with new victims of the recent aftershock.  The RTF team has experience, strength, and courage to make a huge difference.

Children on their knees next to their parents – parents that did not survive the quake. Crying, lost and orphaned.

These are children, families, and elderly pleading for our rescue.

Please help us – now more than ever as we face this catastrophic ground shaking tragedy.  Haiti needs us.  The Americans are there.  Haiti lives are in so much pain right now.

Please keep our team in your thoughts and prayers as they face chaos and danger.

Rescue Task Force needs your help. Please donate to help those who really need it!

Online donations: http://www.wer-us.org/haiti-RFT-donation.html or

Send checks to:
Rescue Task Force
2270 Camino Vida Roble
Suite K
Carlsbad, CA 92011

###

There are many organizations that are responding to and seeking support for the Haiti disaster. Rescue Task Force’s experience of providing emergency disaster relief “Around the World, Around the Clock” for over 20 years means that victims will receive essential aid quickly.

Rescue Task Force is in the World Emergency Relief family of charities.

January 18, 2010

RESCUE TASK FORCE PACKING FOR DISASTER RESPONSE TO HAITI DISASTER

Who: Rescue Task Force team packing relief supplies for Haiti, January 18, 2010

What: Team briefing meeting and packing
Team will be available for press interviews

When: January 18, 2010 12:00 PM

Where: Volunteer Team Leader Darryl Hall’s Residence
For address details call Darryl or Andrea
San Diego, CA 92124

Contact: Darryl Hall 858-583-3485 – Cell or Andrea Stone 619-991-3669 – Cell

Visual: Team will be packing, loading and heading for the airport

TEAM DEPARTURE FOR HAITI

Who: Rescue Task Force Disaster Team
San Diego based World Emergency Relief’s Rescue Task Force is sending their volunteer relief team to Haiti

What: Team Departs via American Airlines – available for press interviews

When: January 18, 2010, 2:30 PM

Where: American Airlines terminal – San Diego’s Lindberg Field

Visual: Team will say goodbye to family and friends and will board the plane to provide relief to the Haitian victims of this catastrophic earthquake

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Many have gone four days without food, water, medical treatment and relief. Rescue Task Force is on the way. With over 20 years experience in disaster response RTF Team is preparing to board a plane and head into disaster.

Please help us, help these hungry, thirsty, hurt and terrified people. They need us!  They need you!

Donate Online: http://www.wer-us.org/haiti-RFT-donation.html

Rescue Task Force is in the World Emergency Relief family of Charities

Friday, January 15, 2010

PRESS ADVISORY AT 1:00 PM

Interview Darryl Hall, leaving for Haiti

2270 Camino Vida Roble, Suite K, Carlsbad, CA 92010

RESCUE TASK FORCE SENDNG A TEAM TO HAITI

The cries for help have been heard…

We are on our way!!!

Rescue Task Force’s (RTF) “boots-the-ground,” team a will be leaving for Haiti on Monday, January 18th, 2010.

RTF’s veteran volunteer Darryl Hall along with Chris Simmons, Jose Garcia and John McRae are packing up their gear and heading into the devastated Port-au-Prince to bring some much needed immediate relief.

“The immediate needs the first few days after mother nature strikes are a given – basic food, water, shelter, sanitation along with anti diarrhea medicines and Tylenol. Within days disease and cholera set in and the needs change quickly. RTF there, on the ground, will assess the needs, purchase the supplies and do direct distribution.”

- Andrea Stone, Executive Officer RTF

Your donations help hand-to-hand – Your hand to our hand to their hand.

Working with our local in-country volunteers the support will go to those who need the help the most.

Please help us help those that are hurting right now.

Please help to save a life.

Online donations: http://www.rescuetaskforce.org/donation_page.html or

Send Checks to:

Rescue Task Force

2270 Camino Vida Roble

Suite K

Carlsbad, CA 92011

760-930-9089

For media contact

Andrea Stone

Tel: 760-930-8001

Cel: 619-991-3669

Email: andrea@rescuetaskforce.org

Can you Help Today?

Donations are urgently needed!

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Rescue Task Force has responded to man made and natural disasters for over 20 years. Rescue Task Force is in the World Emergency Relief Family of Charities

Philippines:
In the Philippines, RTF and WER (World Emergency Relief) are wiring cash aid to our valuable WER partner of many years devastated by the typhoon that has claimed hundreds of lives and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

“Sending cash is the quickest way we can help right now,” related Gary Becks, CEO.  “Our project partner has an immediate need for food, drinking water and medicine (for cholera, cough, colds, first aid, and also vitamins). They also need clothes and footwear, blankets and towels.”

Over 50 children and workers at the orphanage that WER supports had to be evacuated by rubber raft through polluted water. (Photo upper left corner.)

Flood waters are above 7 feet high, and the center has at least four feet of standing water. The demand for temporary housing limits where the children and workers can stay. It may be months before they can return to their center.

RTF and WER are committed to helping “our” orphans. Many fled abusive homes and now receive love and care in a safe environment. Their hope is made possible only because of caring people like you.

The needs in the Philippines are overwhelming. Over 400,000 are seeking some kind of assistance at aid shelters. Another typhoon is expected to hit within 24 hours.

We need your help to continue giving these children “a living chance”. Without your compassionate assistance, we can do just so much before we exhaust our limited resource funds.

Can you / will you please help… Each gift will buy critically needed food, water and medicine for the kids in addition to clothes, footwear, blankets and towels.

Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you for being a treasured partner and for your faithful support during so many disasters. I pray that you will help to continue our partnership for these Philippine kids.

Gary Becks
Chief Executive Officer
Rescue Task Force
World Emergency Relief
(760) 930-8001
On Line Donations via our web site:
www.rescuetaskforce.org

Checks to:
Rescue Task Force
864.N Second St #340
El Cajon, CA 92021

Pirating off of the coast of Somalia is a major obstacle to the delivery of goods to locations around the world.

What is not well known is the impact that these unlawful actions are having on the suffering and starving people in Africa.

The hijacking of ships has spread from the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa to much of Africa’s East Coast and is impacting relief operations throughout the continent.

Even for inland transportation to Burundi, Ethiopia and Malawi we have to ship to seaports on the eastern coast of Africa.

World Emergency Relief and Rescue Task Force combined donors ship over $100 million dollars worth of relief supplies globally each year. A significant percentage of that relief goes to Africa.

The logistics are relatively simple and very cost effective as manufacturers donate the relief supplies and our donors pay the ocean freight shipping. Hundreds of thousands of hurting hearts and lives being touched, helped, and started on paths to recovery and better lives.

However, we have been notified that ocean shipping rates to Eastern Africa will soon see substantial cost increases. In response to the pirating Lloyds of London will be assessing a “transit insurance policy surcharge” on each ocean freight container into, or passing through, that region.

Death by starvation is slow, and horrid. To most of us, diarrhea is an inconvenience. Unchecked, though, to many it is a death sentence –death from dehydration. Our donors give sacrificially to help people in great need with food and medicine and this scourge of piracy must not dilute their efforts or contributions.

On behalf of the thousands of children and families that we help throughout Africa’s hideous conflicts and drought we call upon the world’s leaders to move swiftly and decisively to clear the sea channels of pirates and resolve the piracy that is making a bad a situation even worse.