To the Editor:www.haitianclinic.org and accepts donations by check or online.

I know many people would like to provide support for the Haitians that lost all they own in Hurricane Matthew, but are somewhat concerned how much of the monies would make it to those in need.

Haitian Humanitarian Network Inc (HHN) is an all-volunteer organization that operates the Erline & Armelle Medical Clinic in Beaulieu, Haiti. More than 99 percent of the funds collected since the start of the clinic in 2003 have gone for operational support and construction of the buildings. In 2007, the residence building housed the operations, and in 2010, the current clinic building became our home.

The clinic is located in a very rural area in southwest Haiti where there is no potable water source, no electricity, no transportation, and is more than 35 miles from the nearest city, Les Cays. The eye of the hurricane passed directly over the clinic and the communities served by the clinic. Our clinic manager, in a short phone conversation, relayed that the clinic suffered damage (solar panels, window shutters, water tank, residence building roof) but was usable and is now housing some of the community's homeless. However, all the homes in the area have been leveled and there is nothing left for them to salvage.

The roads and bridges into the area have all been washed away, leaving no way to use ground support to provide relief. We are working to contact those that have food and water supplies in Haiti to find a way to airdrop or helicopter them into Beaulieu. The brother of our Haitian Clinic founder is now trying to work his way to Beaulieu from Port-au-Prince, to bring phones and some supplies. We are waiting to get more information as to the conditions in the area and the best way to reach them.

In 2003, our Haitian-born friend, Jocelyne, started the clinic with rented space in the town she was born in and asked us to help in running the clinic. The Haitian Humanitarian Network (a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization) was formed to assist in managing the clinic. HHN was started in Storrs, Conn., and is now located in Newtown.

Now we are looking to raise funds for immediate food and water supplies, to repair the clinic and residence buildings. When we have taken care of the immediate concerns we will then look to assist in rebuilding the community.

Clinic information is available on our website at

Thanks for your concern.

Don Dinsmore

31 Valley View Road, Newtown         October 12, 2016