In the aftermath of last week's terrible earthquake disaster in Haiti, I can't begin to tell you how many emails I've received from different organizations and groups asking for support. Mostly financial requests, the inundation has been overwhelming and I've been waiting until this weekend to sit down and speak with my husband about what we want to do.
But aside from giving money, I felt the need to give information.
You may recall the theme of the 2009 World Breastfeeding Week..."Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response. Are You Ready?" Timely, yes. Ominous, scarily so. But never has the need for breastfeeding been so great. The International Lactation Consultant Association is "urging all health care providers and rescue workers to include breastfeeding support as a vital part of disaster relief and humanitarian aid efforts." They are also discouraging donations of infant formula since this can increase illness and disease in an emergency.
Here is the press release: ILCA Encourages Breastfeeding Support in Haiti. I would highly recommend that you read it and do whatever you can to assist in relief efforts. And finally, I'll just put my two cents in here...I have about 250 postings on my "Selling Breast Milk" blog from women trying to find good homes for their excess expressed milk. How about donating it to a milk bank for some of the babies in Haiti? Just a thought. Would love to hear yours!
Boy, did you hit the nail on the head before anyone else. Now if only MSNBC, the LA Times and CNN had read your post and the press release from ILCA, those babies could have been helped a lot earlier. Great job getting out of the gate with the RIGHT information early on in the game!