Below is the HMBANA statement on milk to Haiti, posted on their
website. Currently, there is not reliable electricity or
transportation in Haiti, since donor milk has to be frozen, it doesn't
make sense to send donor milk there. HMBANA is in touch with
international relief organizations. We are encouraging interested moms
to become milk donors at the milk bank closest to them. That way,
should the relief organizations be able to use donor milk, we will be
able to send it to them quickly. If not, the milk will be used locally
for babies in the US.
Re: IBMP, the short version of the story is that they are under new
leadership, they no longer affiliated with Prolacta, they are
referring donors to HMBANA who is referring them to their local milk
banks. (http://www.breastmilkproject.org/hiw_faq.php) Milk donated
through IBMP referred donors will be part of the pool of milk that
will be sent to Haiti, only if and when international relief agencies
such as UNICEF, etc. can get it where it needs to be safely and use
it effectively.
In the meantime, supporting breastfeeding on the ground in Haiti is
much more effective and important, and we have seen in Lactnet posts
the last few days that that is also the priority of the relief
organizations as well. All the relief organizations agree that what is
needed right now is monetary contributions to the relief effort. Send
contributions to the organization of your choice. A list is below in
the HMBANA statement.
I hope this clarifies things.
Naomi Bar-Yam
From the HMBANA website (http://www.hmbana.org/index.php/index/haiti)
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) is
saddened by the disastrous earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12,
2010. Our thoughts and prayers reach out to this country that now has
lost so much.
Many areas have no water, electricity, housing or health care
facilities. Recognizing the life saving importance of breastfeeding of
infants and young children in this situation, we speak in support of
protection and support of Haitian breastfeeding women. Humanitarian
efforts must continue to support the health of the mothers and their
ability to breast feed.
To help survivors of the Haitian earthquake please donate money to the
following agencies:
UNICEF (1-800-4UNICEF)
Direct Relief International
Yele Haiti
Partners in Health
Red Cross
World Food Programme
Mercy Corps (1-888-256-1900)
Save the Children
Lambi Fund
Doctors Without Borders
The International Rescue Committee
CARE
The following organizations are accepting SMS donations in the US only:
SMS text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts>/li>
SMS text "YELE" to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti's Earthquake
Relief efforts
In order to support HMBANA to be prepared to provide donor milk if
UNICEF, the Red Cross, WHO or other international organizations
involved on the front lines were to contact us, please call your
nearest HMBANA bank (found here) and become a donor so that we will
have the needed processed donor milk.
Thank you!
The Board of Directors and Staff of HMBANA
------------------------------------------
Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D.
Executive Director
Mothers' Milk Bank of New England
[log in to unmask]
617-527-6263
www.milkbankne.org
------------------------------------------
Join us April 12-13, 2010, Boston, MA
100 Years of Milk Banking: Looking Back, Reaching Forward
Info and Registration: HMBANA.ORG
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