Archive for category: Blog

Meet CMAT Volunteer Aric Rankin, NP!

April 6-12 is National Volunteer Week.

Meet some of the inspring CMAT volunteers who help us fulfil our missions in communities around the world! 

CMAT Volunteer Aric Rankin carries a critically ill child to the CMAT Field Clinic in Léogâne, Haiti - January 2010.

CMAT Volunteer Aric Rankin carries a critically ill child to the CMAT Field Clinic in Léogâne, Haiti – January 2010.

April 6, 2014:  Aric Rankin, NP

CMAT volunteer Aric Rankin has always understood the importance of lending a helping hand, especially in times of need.

When the earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010,  Aric spent several weeks in Léogâne as part of the first CMAT medical team, providing medical care to earthquake survivors in the CMAT field clinic.

CMAT mentioned in DFATD monthly newsletter

© Cpl Ariane Montambeault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

© Cpl Ariane Montambeault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

 

CMAT Team Leader Kate Auger briefs Minister Paradis on CMAT's relief efforts in Ormoc City, Leyte.

CMAT Team Leader Kate Auger briefs Minister Paradis on CMAT’s relief efforts in Ormoc City, Leyte.

Courtesy DFATD-MAECD: Canadian assistance to the Philippines

Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie  Christian Paradis visited the areas hardest hit by Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on November 8, 2013. The visit took place two weeks after the natural disaster, which affected 13 million people. The Minister met with representatives of the local government and both Canadian and foreign humanitarian agencies. He saw for himself how Canadian assistance was having an impact and improving people’s lives.

Emergency relief teams were on site to carry out humanitarian assistance activities. Minister Paradis also met with organizations responding to the tragedy. These organizations include UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), Save the Children, Plan International, World Vision, Oxfam, CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TEAMS, the Philippine Red Cross, CARE Canada, and Doctors Without Borders. Thanks to Canada’s support and donations from Canadians, these organizations have been able to distribute food, materials needed to build shelters, and bed nets to prevent malaria. They have also been able to provide water, sanitation and health services. In addition, they have been able to provide education and protection for children, psychosocial support, health care, reproductive health services, and nutrition.

Complete article about Canadian assistance to the Philippines

For more information : Canada’s Response to Typhoon Haiyan

 

York Region District School Board raises over $50K for CMAT!

YRDSB Principal Mr. Jeewan Chanicka and Community Resource Facilitator Ms. Yvonne Kelly present CMAT Executive Director Valerie Rzepka with a cheque from the "Helping Hands" fundraising campaign.

YRDSB Principal Mr. Jeewan Chanicka and Community Resource Facilitator Ms. Yvonne Kelly present CMAT Executive Director Valerie Rzepka with a cheque from the “Helping Hands” fundraising campaign.

February 28, 2014 – A social goal for York Region District School Board (YRDSB) is to encourage students to become active, global citizens and understand their roles as leaders in our global village.  Recorded history has not witnessed such catastrophic devastation as Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the Philippines in November 2013.  Active learning and focus on character traits such as empathy requires that students do their utmost to help.

Through its Helping Hands project, staff and students in the YRDSB have raised over $50,000 for CMAT’s project in the Philippines, to provide help for victims of the typhoon.  Students were encouraged to reach into their own pockets and to give generously. Loonie and Twoonie campaigns raised an average of $1400 per school in the school board.

All monies collected have been put towards CMAT’s relief projects in the Philippines.  CMAT has an established reputation and funds raised go directly into the field.

Today, CMAT Executive Director Valerie Rzepka accepted a cheque from YRDSB representatives Jeewan Chanicka and Yvonne Kelly. Congratulations go out to YRDSB on an incredible fundraising effort!!

On behalf of CMAT, and the beneficiaries of our care, we wish to express our sincerest thanks to the staff and students of York Region District School Board. Together, the students will become better aware of the magnitude of this tragedy and continue to learn their moral and social responsibility and making the utmost effort to make a difference.  With your continued support, CMAT can continue to extend a Helping Hand to those who are suffering immeasurable losses in the Philippines.

CMAT Deployment summary: Philippines Typhoon Yolanda

,
CMAT Team Members gather in front of the field hospital tent in Ormoc City, Leyte.

CMAT Team Members gather in front of the field hospital tent in Ormoc City, Leyte.

CMAT is proud to provide a summary of our deployment to the Philippines.  In total, the deployment lasted one month, and the team treated nearly 2000 patients. Our work in the Philippines is far from over, though. CMAT continues to assess the needs for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as well as Mental Health and Psychological Support Services (MHPSS).  We are considering sending teams to address these needs in the coming months. If you  have experience working to support mental health and psychosocial needs, and are interested in a potential deployment, please contact us at [email protected].

CMAT’s assessment team was joined in the field by Medical Team 1 in Ormoc District, Leyte province, in response to the typhoon known locally as “Yolanda” which struck the Philippines on Nov 8, 2013. The 14 person medical team consisted of nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics and physicians from across Canada, and joined the 4-member assessment team already on the ground. Major areas of Leyte were completely devastated by the powerful storm, and the destruction of infrastructure such as roads and hospitals impacted the population significantly.

 

Read more

Update CMAT Assessment Team and Team One

CMAT's Field clinic in Ormoc City, Leyte.

CMAT’s Field clinic in Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines – November 2013.

Update from CMAT Assessment Team and Medical Team 1 – Ormoc City – Near City Hall

The CMAT teams are based near City Hall in Ormoc City. As you may have been following on our social media, there was a delay getting our field hospital released from customs, and so it only arrived in Ormoc late last night.  This has not slowed down the team one bit. Yesterday they report seeing over 200 patients.

Read more