Yael BT, blogger and communications staffer for the Israel Defense Force, is part of the IDF’s relief mission to Haiti. Yael has given us permission to re-post blog entries about her experience in the wake of recent earthquakes.
12:45 pm – Closing Down
So it’s final – we’re leaving Wednesday the 27th. W’ere slowly starting to pack up and transfer patients from the hospital. Much of the equipment (tents, cleaning supplies, food) is being left here for our local translators who have been doing a great job.
As for us, things just keep getting weirder and weirder. Yesterday, the Colombian doctors gave us a salsa lesson. Today, Sean Penn stopped by (still don’t know why). I will try to answer some of your questions from twitter:
What’s the mood?
Like I’ve mentioned, volunteers are in really good spirits, but we’re getting tired. I think everyone is excited to go home. That being said, it will be hard to leave. Doctors and nurses got pretty attached to some patients and saying goodbye is a difficult process.
How is International cooperation?
It’s pretty much like a mini UN here. We have medical staff from Colombia and Canada working with us, and journalists from all over the world popping in.
Medically speaking, there’s a lot of cooperation with the US military, the Miami University hospital and an Italian hospital (both in Haiti), and of course a steady transferral of patients to the USNS Comfort.
What does Haiti need?
It’s a bit of a bubble in here. We see many happy stories and a lot of hope. However, this is only a little bandaid on the huge wound this earthquake caused. Many of the patients we help are in need of long term treatment and the whole country needs a long term plan to rebuild it’s infrastructure. We, the Israelis, are excellent first responders and we’ve worked hard since we got here. But now it’s time for the world to step in and make sure that these people are not forgotten once the news starts getting old.
Why did you go to Haiti?
I don’t know. For those of you who know me, I’m a little anxious. I like to be in control and I enjoy showering 
When I saw the images on TV of the Israeli delegation, I felt such pride! I knew I wanted to be part of this effort. My job here was to work with the press and indeed I did entertain reporters most of the time. But every free moment I had I spent at the children’s ward or with the babies. I still can’t comprehend the magnitude of this whole operation, but I know it is something that will be with me forever.
Read more about the trip on Yael’s blog.
