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In Haiti’s Quake‐Affected Communities, International Medical Corps Promotes the
Importance of Breast Milk for Infant Health – Part of World Breastfeeding Week
Crystal Wells
Communications Officer
+509.3691.2036
cwells@internationalmedicalcorps.org
Port‐au‐Prince, Haiti – August 3, 2010 – During World Breast Feeding Week, August 1‐7, International
Medical Corps is running community education campaigns and events throughout Haiti. Made possible
by UNICEF, the community outreach events in Port‐au‐Prince, Petit Goave, and Gressier seek to educate
mothers on the importance of breastfeeding for infant health.
“Breast milk is the only food and drink an infant needs for the first six months,” says Stien Gijsel,
International Medical Corps Nutrition Advisor. “It has all the vitamins and nutrients a baby needs for his
or her mental and physical growth and provides critical antibodies that protect against allergies and
illnesses, even as the child grows older.”
In Petionville Camp, International Medical Corps has teamed up with Oxfam to educate 800 mothers on
the importance of breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding is an investment in a child’s health that is completely
free and always available,” says Heather Lorenzen, a nurse with International Medical Corps.
For the entire week, International Medical Corps will be running daily activities with mothers through its
baby tents in Petit Goave. On Friday, International Medical Corps will be hosting an event in Nan Regal
with live music and prizes. Free breast examinations will also be available. Other events will be held in
the Petit Goave area at the following locations: Beatrice (Monday), Platon (Tuesday), Miragoane
(Wednesday), and Petit Guinea (Thursday). All of the events are free and open to the public.
Thanks to support by UNICEF and others, International Medical Corps is running a combined nutrition
and early childhood development program at nine baby tents in various sites throughout Port‐au‐Prince
and Petit Goave. As part of this program, International Medical Corps runs breastfeeding support
groups and educates mothers on the importance that nutrition and play have in their children’s
development.
Since its inception 25 years ago, International Medical Corps’ mission has been consistent: relieve the
suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster, and disease, by delivering vital health care
services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning
devastated populations to self‐reliance. For more information visit:
www.InternationalMedicalCorps.org
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