ML Today is supporting Global Links in its drive to send a second shipping container with 10 tons of medical supplies, equipment and humanitarian aid to Cuba. Global Links has a more than thirty-year relationship with the Cuban health authorities and has all the necessary export documents from the U.S. Government. The Global Links email below, appealing for funds, more than adequately describes the disaster facing Cuba.
The Executive Director of Global Links Angela Garcia writes:
Just weeks ago, Cuba suffered a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. Days before that, category 3 Hurricane Rafael slammed into western Cuba. As Global Links’ staff and delegation were leaving Cuba on October 18, the power grid collapsed. Then Hurricane Oscar hit eastern Cuba.
Last month, during a visit to mark our 30 years of collaboration in Cuba, we witnessed first-hand the vulnerable conditions of the country’s electrical and road infrastructure. The already weakened power grid collapsed several times since we left, increasing obstacles to healthcare delivery and survival.
However we also witnessed the strength and compassion of the Cuban people and their priority despite overwhelming challenges: to preserve human lives. Despite power outages, shortages of medical supplies, fuel shortages and loss of human resources, the resilient and dedicated workforce in Cuba continues to care for the health needs of the Cuban people.
Global Links has one shipment on its way to the island as a follow up to our visit in October, and we are planning more shipments to provide essential medical supplies and equipment so desperately needed.
Global Links is working with Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization and the Cuban Ministry of Health to prioritize how we can best respond to the crisis and will focus on addressing two critical areas:
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Essential surgical and medical supplies – suture, gloves, IV & urinary catheters/supplies, and more.
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Support for family doctors and nurses – provide Global Links medical backpacks which include a stethoscope, blood pressure unit, minor surgery kit, first aid supplies, pulse oximeter, thermometer, power sources (batteries, etc) to run the equipment, and more.
We are only limited by the dollars that we can raise. Can you make a donation to help us rush as much medical aid to the island as possible before the change in administration?
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$250 provides one family nurse/doctor team with a Global Links medical backpack.
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$1000 provides 50 cases of catheters or gloves.
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$12,500 allows us to procure basic equipment required for critically ill patients.
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$25,000 covers a container of thousands of medical items, worth ten times that amount.
Natural disasters, injustice and inequity, political battles- it can be overwhelming in light of so much need. But I know that Global Links CAN and MUST do what we have the ability and capacity to do to support the trained personnel who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
Can you help us by making a donation today? Simply note “DISASTER” in the online note field or check memo. Global Links has the licensing and relationships built over our 30 years of collaboration to rush life-saving medical aid as long as we can. Thank you for understanding the urgency and imperative. Please contact me to discuss if you have any questions.
Angela Garcia (She/Her)
