'The Bridge Is Washed Out"

This is the message we received from Tom Brock, our helper in Banica. The bridge connects our storage facility in Banica to our clinic in Thomassique. It is also the way we normally get our supply of diesel fuel, and serves as our lifeline to various supplies from the Dominican Republic. It lies along the route that 99% of our volunteers from the U.S. use to get to our clinic in Thomassique.

The bridge was a concrete structure over the Artibonito River that separates Haiti from the Dominican Republic. The bridge was partially compromised a few years ago during the “rainy” season (from about May through November). One section had fallen into the river and was “rebuilt” by piling rocks and dirt in the river in that area to complete the bridge.

No one knows exactly when or how the bridge will be repaired this time. In the meantime, we are exploring alternative ways for getting fuel, supplies, and volunteers to the clinic through ports and suppliers in Haiti.