Haiti Emergency Relief Milk Program
FINAL UPDATE: On Thursday, January 28, 2009, thanks to the Quick International Courier, donor breast milk arrived safely aboard the USNS Comfort. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this possible. We are very proud of our Navy and their efforts to give the best possible care to infants in need. Although we are not planning another shipment at this time, we encourage moms who wish to donate milk to contact a HMBANA milk bank and donate their milk to help babies in the United States and to build up the supply so that we are prepared to help, both now and in the future.
If your organization is in need of donor milk, please contact us to discuss cold chain and handling requirements.
UPDATE: January 30th, 10:41 AM CST - After receiving a request from a doctor on board the USNS Comfort, International Breast Milk Project and Quick International Courier with the help of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America successfully and safely delivered close to 500 ounces of donor breast milk. The donor milk is now safely aboard the USNS Comfort and in the Navy's hands.
UPDATE: January 28th, 9:01 AM CST - Milk arrived in Port-au-Prince, awaiting pick up by helo.
UPDATE: January 27th, 2:36 PM CST - Thank you Quick International Courier and Southwest Airlines! The milk has left Ohio milk bank on the first leg of the journey.
UPDATE: January 26th, 8:37 PM CST - Mother's Milk Bank of Ohio is getting ready for tomorrow's shipment. Thank you to Georgia Morrow, Director of the Ohio bank, for her around-the-clock efforts!
UPDATE: January 25th, 4:50 CST - Milk scheduled to arrive to Haiti on Thursday. IBMP finalizing logistics details with Quick International Courier and USNS Comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Press Release January 28th, 2010 [MEDIAGLOBAL]:
International Breast Milk Project delivers donor breast milk to orphaned and sick babies in Haiti
What is the Emergency Relief Milk Program?
The Emergency Relief Milk Program is a collaborative effort of several organizations to make sure that infants have access to donor milk during disaster situations.
We are deeply grateful to all of the organizations and individuals who have joined us in this amazing effort including HMBANA, USNS Comfort, and Quick International Courier.
We will update our website and Twitter as more details become available.
Where will the milk be going?
The first donation of donor breast milk is set to go to premature, sick and orphaned infants aboard the USNS Comfort's Medical Treatment Center stationed outside Haiti. The USNS Comfort is equipped with a neonatal intensive care unit and medical staff to provide emergency care to youngest victims of the earthquake. They are uniquely positioned to handle a donation of breast milk because they can maintain the cold chain requirements and ensure proper handling and security of the donation.
How can I help? Can I still donate milk?
We are currently referring all donors to www.hmbana.org, or 1-866-998-4550, to build up the supply in the United States so that if more milk is needed by organizations with the proper cold storage, handing, and security requirements, that there will be an adequate amount of milk to meet the needs.
Why is breast milk important in a disaster situation?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics statement on infant nutrition during a disaster when a mother's milk is not available, safe donor breast milk is the next best option. http://www.aap.org/breastfeeding/files/pdf/InfantNutritionDisaster.pdf
Will any of the collected milk stay in the United States?
Any milk that is not used for disaster relief will stay in the United States with HMBANA and be used to help critically ill babies in neonatal intensive care units, and babies that cannot tolerate formula. Visit www.hmbana.org to learn more about the Human Milk Banking Association of North American and whom they serve.
Who else is helping in this relief effort?
International Breast Milk Project is coordinating efforts with the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, USNS Comfort and Quick International Courier.
HMBANA is collecting and processing the milk that will be sent to Haiti and International Breast Milk Project will be helping to cover costs.
Quick International Courier, a global medical logistics specialist, will donate their services to International Breast Milk Project to provide packaging, dry ice and the fastest and most secure cold chain transport services to Haiti.
International Breast Milk Project is finalizing plans with the USNS Comfort, our on-the-ground partner in Haiti, and will continue to update our website with details as they unfold. As of now, the milk will arrive in Port-au-Prince on Thursday and be transported via helicopter to the ship from where it will be distributed to infants in need.
And most importantly, hundreds of moms across the U.S. are signing up to be a part of this extraordinary effort.
Does International Breast Milk Project collect the milk?
No. International Breast Milk Project does not collect or store breast milk. All donors who register with us are referred to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
How else has International Breast Milk Project helped in emergency or crisis situations in the past?
In the past, International Breast Milk Project has provided donor milk to infants in need in South Africa affected by the poverty, disease and hunger. By the end of 2009, International Breast Milk Project provided over 64,800 bottles of breast milk to infants in South Africa. Additionally, in October 2009, International Breast Milk Project sent an emergency shipment to the Philippines after catastrophic typhoon Ondoy.
Is International Breast Milk Project collecting any milk for Prolacta Bioscience?
No.
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