The Canadian Medical Assistance Team (CMAT) is a Canadian-based, non-profit, natural disaster relief organization based in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Through its medical assistance and development project, CMAT seeks to improve the health and well-being of families both in Canada and in developing countries around the world.
Video Canadian Medical Assistance Team
History
The Canadian Medical Assistance Team was established in 2004 in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami as the medical arm of the Canadian Relief Foundation. Two paramedic teams from British Columbia and Saskatchewan were deployed to Banda Aceh, Indonesia to provide medical assistance to the disaster victims. With learning in Indonesia, CMAT is ready for further deployment.
Maps Canadian Medical Assistance Team
Implementation
CMAT has a database of over 1000 healthcare professionals from across Canada, one of its strengths is its ability to be flexible. CMAT explicitly devotes itself to building capacity in the community provided with assistance, so that any project that begins will only be in direct partnership with the local government and with the support, guidance and permission of the host government.
2004
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami was the first time CMAT sent medical teams abroad. For eight weeks, three Canadian medical teams consisting of paramedics and doctors were deployed to Indonesia, with the first team deployed in 10 days of disaster. The CMAT medical team works with teams from Mercy Malaysia and works with Canadian consular officials from Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to build medical stations and manage medical care and first aid to displaced people in Medan, Banda Aceh and Meuloboh , Indonesia.
2005
Hurricane Katrina
On August 29, 2005, Category 3 hurricanes made landfall in southeastern Louisiana. This caused severe damage along the Gulf coast from central Florida to Texas, largely due to a storm surge. CMAT deployed the assessment team to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After three days in the Operation Area (AOO) and completion of a tactical assessment in the field, it was determined that CMAT trauma teams from doctors, trauma nurses and aviation paramedics should not be deployed to the area. The two-member assessment team cited significant political clashes and lack of command and control structures, which together pose serious problems for logistical support and basic information.
Kashmir earthquake 2005
On October 8, 2005, a major earthquake recorded a moment of 7.6 in Azad Kashmir, near the city of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan. Happened at 8:52:37 Pakistan Standard Time, it recorded a moment of 7.6. The disaster destroyed 50% of buildings in Muzaffarabad (including most of the official buildings) and is thought to have killed up to 80,000 people in Pakistan-controlled areas of Kashmir, alone. The severity of the damage caused by the earthquake is due to the strong increase, coupled with poor construction.
CMAT focused its efforts in northern Pakistan, initially in Bagh and the Muzaffarabad region sent an assessment team from Canada on October 10, consisting of search and rescue, logistics and paramedics, as well as emergency doctors. In addition, CMAT staff in Kabul, Afghanistan are assessing in the affected areas of eastern Afghanistan.
The preliminary team was followed by ten team rotations every three weeks, the second set off on October 21, 2005. The team initially worked with Rotary Club of Islamabad and Rawalpindi members to provide emergency medical assistance, and assisted and supported medical staff at hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi that has been flooded with earthquake victims flown from the field. The teams were subsequently stationed in Muzaffarabad, working in the Abbass hospital, and in collaboration with Army 212 Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), and in Garhi Dopatta, working with the Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Team (DART) , and the Health Cluster of the United Nations.
On 3 November 2005, CMAT announced that it has gained more than $ 190,000 in funding for its two projects as part of a fund matching program through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The funds were sent to support medical teams in Muzzafferabad and other areas devastated by the quake.
2007
South Asian flood 2007
The 2007 South Asian floods were a series of floods in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The News Agency, citing the Indian and Bangladeshi governments, put the death toll more than 2,000. On August 3, about 20 million people were displaced and on August 10 about 30 million people in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal were affected by the floods.
CMAT deployed a 2-member assessment team to Dhaka, Bangladesh to meet its local partner on August 18, 2007. According to the CMAT assessment team, doctors and nurses were overwhelmed at the International Center for Diarrhea Disease Research, Bangladesh hospital, as more than 1800 patients were seen every 24 hours with acute GI distress, typhoid, skin and eye infections and severe dehydration with outer temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius.
A four-member team consists of advanced care medics and a nurse practitioner deployed to Bangladesh, working with local Fazlullah Foundation partners, and spent three weeks providing medical assistance in Gopalganj District (Bangladesh), one of the most affected areas of Bangladesh together with the Bangladesh Aid Service for Social Progress (BASSA).
CMAT also supports the activities of the Dhaka Project - a grassroots humanitarian project started by Mrs. Maria Conceicao, a flight attendant for Emirates Airways. Conceicao was deeply touched by the plight of homelessness and poverty in Dhaka so he spearheaded the Dhaka Project, a program to reduce homelessness, unemployment and illness through continuing education projects, male and female job training, nursery programs, and medical clinics. CMAT supports the project with a $ 8,000 USD grant.
2008
Sichuan Earthquake 2008, China
CMAT deployed their assessment team to Sichuan province in China, where an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale occurred on May 12, 2008 at about 14:00 local time. Reports indicate more than 68,000 people died, including many school children trapped in school buildings that collapsed.
The assessment team conducted an in-depth assessment of the region, partnered with field contacts, and informed that the local Chinese, military, and Red Cross governments had done a commendable job in the rescue and recovery effort. With more than 100,000 Chinese Military and more than 1000 medical staff in the region, the most injured residents have been evacuated to larger centers. CMAT's offer to provide medical teams to the area was rejected by Government officials, and it was based on their advice that CMAT has decided to immediately shift focus from relief efforts in China. CMAT investigates other donor-funded projects.
In 2010, the CMAT Chair visited the temporary home of the Mianyang County Special Education School, and provided a check for ¥ 85,000 (about $ 12,500 CAD).
2010
2010 Haiti earthquake, Haiti
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake with countless aftershocks hit the island nation of HaÃÆ'¯ti on January 12, 2010. Nearly 300,000 people died in the heavily populated Caribbean nation, and the assessment team was soon deployed to the impoverished country. The earthquake, centered 15 km from the capital Port-au-Prince caused tremendous destruction to the vast areas of the country.
CMAT's initial assessment team conducted intensive surveillance at the parliament building and in the neighborhood, meeting with UN officials, and other partner organizations. In collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces, CMAT bases its field hospital operations in the city of LÃÆ'Â| ogÃÆ'Â ¢ ne, about 35 southwest of Port-au-Prince.
For two months, CMAT medical volunteers assessed and cared for more than 10,000 patients, performed hundreds of operations, and sent about 20 babies. In March 2010, CMAT wrapped up its operations in LÃÆ'Â| ogÃÆ' Â ¢ ne, and transferred its medical team to PÃÆ' Â © tion-Ville, working in partnership with J/P Haiti Relief Organization, a non-governmental organization founded by Sean Penn. The volunteer team played through an additional four months.
In partnership with the York District School District Council, approximately $ 75,000 was raised directly for CMAT assistance efforts.
Chile Earthquake 2010
A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck the area on February 27, 2010. More than 700 people were confirmed dead, and many others were injured.
In response to the Chilean government's request for international assistance for assistance, the Canadian Medical Assistance Team mobilized an initial disaster assessment team to Concepción, Chile to assess needs and ensure the extent of destruction, destroy the infrastructure and health needs of the quake affected population.
After meeting with Chilean officials, in ConcepciÃÆ'³n, the decision was made backwards. This decision was made as a direct result of the Chilean and Military Government's extraordinary response to the earthquake.
The assessment team found that the need for medical assistance declined every day, every victim with a traumatic injury having been evacuated to a major medical center in another area of ​​the country, and thus a recommendation for retreat was made.
2010 Pakistan flood
In late summer 2010, massive floods from heavy rains killed up to 1,500 people, placing over 100,000 at risk of disease and displacing more than 3.2 million in central Pakistan. The threat of water-borne diseases is rapidly increasing and millions of people are displaced or cut off in their villages because of heavy rains and floods.
CMAT received word from its Pakistani partners on the ground, reporting that rescue workers are struggling to help millions of affected people, especially those in distant villages. CMAT members are familiar with the area, after responding and providing medical assistance after the devastating earthquake in October 2005.
The rainy season of 2010 that began on July 27 brought the worst floods in Pakistan in living memories, causing widespread destruction and leaving many people inaccessible due to the ruined roads and collapsed bridges. Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK) (especially in Swat District), Baluchistan and Punjab are the most affected areas. Thousands of people lost their homes and livelihoods, officials from Save the Children and Pakistan Red Crescent reported.
Floods that hit Swat have limited access to health services. A number of health facilities in certain locations, totally destroyed. In addition, since many are cut off from the main towns in Swat, communities can not access health services when needed, while others can access health facilities with some difficulties. However, most societies report that wounded and sick members of society do not receive any medical treatment. Pregnant women in particular face problems in accessing health services. The most common diseases are diarrhea, respiratory infections, skin diseases and fever.
As flood waters move through Sindh Province, additional floods occur in lowland areas, and the incidence of the disease rapidly increases. The Canadian Medical Assistance Team mobilized an initial disaster assessment team to Sindh Province, Pakistan from Toronto on September 5, 2010. The assessment surveyed the health needs of displaced flood victims to prepare for the deployment of CMAT inflatable field hospitals and the rotation of the medical team. Five team members began their assessment of the southern part of Sindh Province, working in the city of Thatta. The city is one of the worst districts of Pakistan, when the sea is in tidal conditions when river water floods the river, doubling the damage drastically. By the end of August, 175,000 people had fled their homes and camped alongside the main road under the open sky.
Three major health care teams were sent to Sindh province, and showed that most diseases were associated with primary care - such as skin infections, respiratory infections, eye infections, and gastrointestinal diseases. CMAT also provides mobile medical clinics to remote areas, to target women and children who can not access health services. In collaboration with the Federal and Pakistani governments, and other NGO partners in the field, the team also identified an area in Sukkur, Sindh Province, about 500 km north of Karachi. The nearest area is home to 5-6 internal refuges (IDPs), with a population of several thousand. CMAT volunteers care for more than 500 patients per week in field clinics working with local partner V Need U.
2011
2011 Tsunami and t'hoku earthquake, Japan
The largest earthquake in recorded Japanese history took place offshore on March 11, and police found as many as 300 bodies in the northeast coast that bore the brunt of the next earthquake and tsunami. The earthquake happened at 2:46 pm. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers some 125 kilometers off the east coast, and followed by at least 19 powerful aftershocks.
The CMAT Rapid Assessment Team is activated, and conducts needs assessment in Miyagi Prefecture, around Sendai city to ensure the extent of destruction. This assessment includes evaluating crumbling infrastructure and surveying the health needs of affected earthquake and tsunami victims to prepare for the potential spread of CMAT inflatable hospital hospitals.
NGO airlift support has been temporarily suspended pending further assessment of the situation at Fukushima Nuclear Plant. The CMAT Director spoke with a Canadian Nuclear Officer stating: "Standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE: shirts, masks, gloves) would be adequate if they had to enter the evacuated area, but at a distance of 100 km, no one would receive the radiation dose significant, even in Chernoble. "The Canadian Nuclear Officer also believes that only a small amount of radioactive material has been recently released in Japan, and in a controlled fashion.
CMAT is re-deployed with medical volunteers trained in CBRNE (chemistry, biology, radiology, nuclear, and explosion). CBRNE events refer to the uncontrolled release of chemicals, biological agents or radioactive contamination into the environment or explosions that cause extensive damage. CMAT Team Members stationed in Japan will be trained in CBRNE capabilities, common standards, policies and protection equipment. Working with the guidance of experts at the Center for Excellence in Emergency Preparedness, under the Canadian Safety Nuclear Commission guidelines and using the principles of the CBRNE strategy, all CMAT team members deployed to Japan are equipped with personal protective equipment, such as dosimeters, and radiation detectors.. Other personal protective equipment to be carried by the team includes a full supply of Tyvek shirts, nitrile gloves, protective goggles, shoe covers and masks, donated by supplier partners.
The team headed to Ishinomaki, a small town on the northern coast of Sendai in Miyagi prefecture. They spent a cold, stony night, with a few aftershocks ranging from 5.0 to 6.6 and spent the day assessing the devastated area, where search and rescue missions were still going on, and attending a briefing meeting. Some members spend time working in recovery centers, where there are some patients.
A five-member strike team working with the Japanese military in the coastal town of Onagawa, about 15 km east of Ishinomaki and asked to assist in the search and recovery of victims in this small community flattened by the tsunami. Working through the ruins of houses, debris and bamboo forests, the team reports that in this area the waves are over 100 feet high and heaps of debris into the branches of tall trees. Of the approximately 15,000 people living in this community before the tsunami, only about 300 survived the disaster.
The situation in Japan is reminiscent of the first deployment of CMAT in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Just like Indonesia, countless people in Japan are killed in the disaster, and those who survive, escape largely unharmed. The medical team visited evacuation centers providing primary medical care and first aid to some refugees, as some patients who survived major or significant injuries had been evacuated. Many patients seen by the team are parents, and have chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Meanwhile, other members of the team are awaiting delivery of Nomad water purification units. The purchase of a portable water purification system manufactured by Noah Water Systems is made possible through the generous support of our donors, especially the Vancouver Light Charity Society of Light, and the "Helping Hands" program run by the York District School Board. This unit can produce 25 gallons/95 liters per minute or 36,000 gallons/136,800 liters per day and will meet the need for large volumes of safe drinking water using fresh water sources: well, lakes, rivers, rivers, ponds and even contaminated floods.
The Nomad unit was presented to a team in Ishinomaki in cooperation with the Japanese military, and the decision was made to put Nomad in the Kitakamicho Aikawa community, a small fishing village of about 1000 people, completely destroyed by the tsunami. This unit supplies the whole community with safe drinking water as a source of water and most of the water supply infrastructure is wiped out in the tsunami. Local authorities and the military estimate that it will take at least six months before the system returns and runs again. Nomads provide water for the community during the reconstruction period.
2013
2013 Haiyan/Yolanda Typhoon, Philippines
pending updates
Educational opportunities
Project Sphere
References
External links
- Canadian Medical Assistance Team
- http://reliefweb.int/node/341816
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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