On Day Six we traveled to Milot, a town in the North of Haiti and  home to a hospital operated by Crudem. This part of the country suffered  little earthquake damage, but the exodus of people from the capital has  put a severe strain on resources there. Within a few days of the  earthquake, victims were being flown to the hospital. Amputations, crush  injuries, and head traumas were the most urgent cases, and there were  hundreds of them. Each patient had a compelling story, but we were most  touched by 28 year-old Joseph. Trapped for three days in the rubble of  two buildings that collapsed on him as he walked in an alley, he would  lose both of his legs. In this hospital there were more than 200  Joseph’s. The sheer number of amputees was striking and disturbing. But  even in the absence of limbs, most patients managed to cling to faith,  surviving family members and even the caresses of strangers.  Occasionally the dark stares of a patient revealed a different response:  across from Joseph lay another young amputee. At his side was his bride  of only a few months. Their look of helplessness could be no challenge  to any feeble suggestion that things would be OK. The stories of the  children were especially poignant. Many were orphaned by the earthquake.  They watched their worlds collapse…they found themselves on helicopters  surrounded by people they did not know and who did not speak their  language. And now, where are they? They must wonder. But they are alive.  And what of the world that now awaits them? Where will they go? While  we were at the hospital there were twenty patients ready to be  discharged. Indeed, one could only wonder where they will go. Many  arrived here unconscious and have no idea of the devastation that awaits  them. That’s the question the staff here struggles with, “Where  will they go?”

To view the full resolution photos, please visit Eight Days in Haiti
Somos Amigos Medical Missions