According to the Americans for UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), there are an estimated 20,000 women in the final trimester of their pregnancy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti - the area hit by the devastating 7.0 earthquake on 1/12/10. There have been reports of women giving birth on the side of the road as hospitals and houses have been demolished.
The International Planned Parenthood Western Hemisphere Region (an organization that serves as both a provider of and an advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights) is currently accepting donations for PROFAMIL, a locally based Haitian organization. Unfortunately, Planned Parenthood now has to deal with criticism that they are trying to take advantage of a terrible situation in Haiti by advocating this fundraising opportunity at this time. It is a shame that so many people are so quick to judge this organization.
For the record, PROFAMIL is a fully staffed organization that is operated by Haitian nurses, doctors and volunteers. 100% of the donations being solicited by International Planned Parenthood Western Hemisphere Region will be going directly to PROFAMIL's operations - to help restore basic medical services at their clinics as well as to allow their mobile health clinics to bring needed services to people who are totally isolated.
On their Facebook Pages, Planned Parenthood is also advocating that people donate to Americans for UNFPA. According to Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA's Executive Director, "We are sending reproductive health supplies to meet the special needs of women, to prevent women from dying in pregnancy and to ensure safe deliveries."
In fact, UNFPA is prioritizing assistance to pregnant women in the impacted areas who are especially vulnerable during this crisis. Haiti has the highest rate of maternal death in the region (670 deaths per 100,000 live births); now, with limited or no access to health facilities, pregnant women are at an even greater risk for complications and death related to pregnancy and childbirth. The donations (Planned Parenthood is promoting) will help UNFPA provide emergency reproductive health kits. These kits could essentially function as OB wards as they contain essential drugs, equipment and supplies to provide life-saving services to pregnant women. During periods following a major natural disaster, women often lose access to basic health services, so UNFPA is also trying to ensure that women and girls have access to basic hygiene supplies, so that they can live with dignity (even amidst the worst circumstances).
In times of crisis, it seems to me that we all should ban together to help one another instead of point fingers at other's agendas that may not be aligned with our own beliefs. Whether or not you "approve" of Planned Parenthood's overall mission, it is unfair to criticize any organization (especially one who has the ability to reach a huge audience) that is actively trying to solicit resources for women's emergency healthcare needs during a time of horrible disaster. I am wondering how many of the individuals out there -- who have taken the time to openly condemn Planned Parenthood's efforts -- have made any effort of their own to contribute to the victims in Haiti. Hmm... maybe those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
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Photo Courtesy of David McNew/Getty Images
Photo Courtesy of David McNew/Getty Images
You seriously believe that this is unfair criticism? Planned Parenthood is one of the largest exploiters of the poor on the planet. Hmmm…”emergency reproductive health kits”? How about food and water?
These people don’t need Planned Parenthood or anyone else pushing them into abortions or “emergency contraception.” They need someone to help them get food, water and shelter, and provide for their real medical needs. Planned Parenthood deserves every bit of criticism they are receiving.
I think you are all being totally unfair. Its not like Planned Parenthood is asking for money for abortions or contraception – they are trying to get donations for organizations that will provide EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE for PREGNANT WOMEN – especially the ones who are giving birth in the streets. You all should get your information straight before you judge Dawn’s blog or Planned Parenthood -as you missed the whole point of this information.
Of course, emergency rescue, food, water & shelter come 1st.
Some people somehow forget that women need pads after a birth, & monthly, even amidst an awful earthquake.
I hope that condoms are also soon available to those in need, at this time of misery.
Yeah, I agree with the supporters of this article that it seems like in this instance, PP *seems* to be doing the right thing, but in general they *are* just a giant abortion factory. I know this for a fact…
I’ve been thinking about how to solve Haiti’s problems beyond this crisis, which I have donated money to help with food, shelter and beyond. The one way to help people take control of their lives is to help them control their own reproduction. As I get older the more I see this. If we care about the children of Haiti that are in such dire straits today we need to slow down the birth rate so they can be helped fully by their parents. Parents need to be the ones to decide how many children they have. I hate abortion. I wish no woman had to have one. A surefire way to prevent abortion is to allow women to control their own reproductive abilities. Please let’s not fight about this.