Archive for category: News

Current world crisis news from CMAT

Myanmar Earthquake Response

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References:

  1. GDACS – 7.7 Earthquake in Myanmar
  2. WHO EMT Classification and Minimum Standards for Emergency Medical Teams (Blue Book)

SITUATION

Earlier today, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, with the epicenter located 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Sagaing, near Mandalay, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). A M6.4 aftershock followed 12 minutes after the initial quake. The tremors were also felt as far away as China and Thailand.

A state of emergency has been declared in the regions of Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Easter Shan state, and Naypyidaw, according to local media reports as of 16:47 local time. A statement was issued that local officials would investigate the damage and begin coordinating rescue in affected areas. 

The CMAT Board of Directors met this evening and has authorized the deployment of our Rapid Assessment Team ‘Alpha’ this weekend. Their role will be to assess the medical and humanitarian needs in coordination with local authorities, international partners, and in coordination with the WHO Emergency Medical Teams Coordination Cell. Team Alpha will also assess the safety and security situation for CMAT volunteers, as well as logistical and financial requirements.

PROBABLE CMAT DEPLOYMENT

CMAT’s Rapid Assessment Team ‘Alpha’ will advise whether a Type 1 Fixed and/or Mobile Emergency Medical Team may be deployed to Myanmar for up to three months (with possible extension if needed). Departure from Canada could be on or after 05 April, with rotations every 3 weeks. 

The decision to deploy and in what capacity will entirely depend on information received from Team Alpha. (Reference B linked above describes the responsibilities and limitations of EMT Type 1 Fixed/ Mobile)

PROBABLE TASKS

  1. Team Alpha to liaise with local government officials, WHO EMT Coordination Cell, and other stakeholders to assess the scope of need, determine deployment location and possible tasks for the EMTs
  2. Deployment of EMT Type 1M or F , comprising of rotations of up to 16 personnel for 3 weeks each. 
  3. CMAT’s EMT will require dedicated logistics and administrative volunteers in addition to medical/ clinical volunteers. We encourage non-medical volunteers to apply! 
  4. Toronto-based volunteers may be needed to help assemble logistic and medical equipment and supplies in deployable pods.
  5. Arrange for medical supply and pharmaceuticals for transportation either from Canada, or procurement in the crisis region (e.g.Thailand)

ADMINISTRATION 

  1. All CMAT volunteers are requested to ensure your online volunteer profile is up to date, including uploading to your CMAT profile.  (click VOLUNTEER PORTAL).
    • Scan of your current passport, ensuring expiry is after October 1, 2025
    • Scan of your current professional license (if applicable) 
    • Scan of your vaccination certificate, including COVID
  2. Ensure you have completed CMAT’s Online Pre-Deployment Training, and upload certificates of completion.  e-Curriculum attached below,. 
  3. Submit an Expression of Interest Form (EOI) linked HERE  
  4. If your passport is due to expire before October 1, 2025, please take immediate steps to have it updated.
  5. Update any other necessary credentials and profile details as required. 
  6. Note: Police/ Vulnerable sector check recommended but currently not mandatory

APPEAL FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Deploying to disasters and crises comes with significant expense.  Your generosity in helping CMAT is greatly appreciated.  Tax-deductible donations can be made by Interac e-transfer or PayPal to: [email protected]  or click the link below to donate directly online on our CanadaHelps page. 

Update on Hurricanes Helene and Milton Response & How You Can Help

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2024-10-10

CMAT wanted to provide an important update on our response to hurricanes Helene and Milton, which have severely impacted parts of the southeastern United States. As you may know, the situation on the ground remains dire, with significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and communities.

Unfortunately, due to professional and regulatory restrictions, CMAT is unable to deploy our Canadian medical teams to assist. However, we are working closely with our American partners and remain committed to supporting the response efforts in any way we can.

We encourage those of you who are eager to help, to consider donating to our verified PAHO Emergency Medical Team (EMT) partner organizations from the US, who are actively providing critical support in the affected areas.

These teams are working tirelessly to deliver medical aid, supplies, and assistance to communities in need: (links below) 

Heart to Heart International

Team Rubicon – Fire Adapted Colorado

International Medical Corps... - International Medical Corps

Americares Emergency Response Partners | Americares

For those who wish to donate to CMAT for our ongoing preparations for disaster response and obtain a receipt for tax purposes, please visit our donations page at: www.cmat.ca/donate

Each of these organizations is making a significant difference on the ground, and your contributions will directly support their ongoing efforts.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support during these challenging times. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and help the affected communities recover.

turkey türkiye earthquake building crumble collapse

Earthquake strikes southern Türkiye and northern Syria

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2023-02-07: TÜRKIYE: Last night a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the border region between southern Türkiye (Turkey) and northern Syria. CMAT has learned that nearly 5,000 people have died and thousands more are injured. This devastation is likely to increase considerably because more than 1000 buildings have already collapsed and aftershocks of strong magnitude continue.

Southern Türkiye has been heavily affected, particularly areas around Gaziantep and Hatay/Antakya, major hubs for NGOs supporting victims of the Syrian crisis. The earthquake also affected areas in northwestern Syria, which continue to be heavily affected by the crisis in Syria and host the majority of the 6.7 million Syrians who have had to flee their homes in recent years.

CMAT is sending a preliminary survey to our volunteers to gauge interest in possible deployment to Türkiye.

This deployment is not yet confirmed.

There may be a particular need for Primary Care and Emergency Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses, as well as Primary and Advanced Care Paramedics, Psychosocial and Logistics support. Details are still being investigated.

  1. If you are interested in potentially deploying to Türkiye (location TBA – although at present we do not expect to be deployed in northern Syria or in an active combat zone), please ensure your CMAT Volunteer profile is up to date with all the mandatory documentation uploaded. We will need to provide WHO with copies of:
  • your passport
  • your professional license
  • your vaccination record including COVID-19 vaccination
  • other documents as listed on the profile
  • your secondary language abilities (particularly Turkish, Levantine Arabic (Syrian), Kurmanji, Pashto, Zazaki and others)

    2. You can access your CMAT Profile by visiting: https://cmat.ca/volunteer
  • To login – use the email address where received this email as your username.
  • You can then reset your password by clicking “Forgot password”.

    3. Please also complete this Expression of Interest Form:
  • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVlAxlpRd9L1Norjinm5iLI7ECY1xcJJPKbuLPdw5xIuhKUQ/viewform

If you have any questions, please email volunteer @ cmat . ca, however please be aware that the information we have is quite limited at this time.

Ukraine Response – Appeal for financial assistance

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ukraine crisis medical assistance point sign banner

⬇️⬇️ HOW, AND WHY TO DONATE TO CMAT ⬇️⬇️

CMAT is an entirely volunteer run and donor driven organization. Deploying to disaster areas and humanitarian crises come at significant expense. Your donations allow us to provide safe, free medical and humanitarian assistance to those in need – a proud reflection of our Canadian roots 🇨🇦

Currently our team has been deployed to the Polish/Ukrainian border providing medical aid to those refugees fleeing conflict.

If you want to help make a difference, you can!

Tax-deductible donations can be made by Interac e-transfer or PayPal to: [email protected]

or directly online at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/70689

Thank you for your support and generosity, without which we could not deliver this vital aid in times of need ❤️