Rotarians in Missouri and Honduras Partner to Combat the Pandemic

Covid-19 is a global pandemic that changed the lives of individuals and families worldwide, claiming lives and forcing everyone to adjust to new social distancing rules and country-wide lockdowns to keep others safe. One of the few things that were found to aid in preventing the spread of the disease when close contact with others was unavoidable is the use of Personal Protective Equipment or PPE.

The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, recommends everyone use PPE in public, including wearing face masks, gowns, gloves, and sanitizer. Unfortunately, this high demand for PPE to keep safe caused a shortage of supplies for some, including hospital staff in the Covid-19 wards in Honduras. This is where Rotarians in Missouri (District 6040) and Tegucigalpa, Honduras (District 4250) stepped in. With the help of donations from various Rotary clubs in the 6040 District, the Waldo/Brookside Rotary Club and Villa Real de Tegucigalpa Rotary Club applied for and were granted a Global Grant through Rotary International to provide $169,000 of PPE to hospitals across Honduras. Covid-19 cases in Honduras are rising, with only about 5% vaccinated. What started as a global grant to supply 26 hospitals with PPE has since grown to supply 31 hospitals responding to Covid-19. The PPE funded by this grant will be delivered throughout June by the Villa Real de Tegucigalpa Rotary Club.

Like most successful global projects, partner organizations help assure success - that was the case for this grant project! Our global team had three great partners in this seamless execution. In the US, Heart to Heart International stepped in as our procurement specialist, consolidator, and the shipper. Heart to Heart International contributed a wealth of experience that avoided pitfalls that would have cost critical time and money! The Society of Internal Medicine of Honduras (SOHMI) members, some Rotarians, ensure the proper PPE specs, quantities, and destinations are identified in Honduras. SOHMI also coordinated storage and the ongoing distribution of the PPE once received in Tegucigalpa. Additionally, Honduras PPE supplier Pinturas del Sur will be helping with transporting the PPE, alongside Villa Real de Tegucigalpa Rotarians, to the 31 hospitals.

 

Thank you to all the clubs, club members, individuals, and organizations who supported this endeavor! Your contributions and support are making a huge impact in the effort to end the Covid-19 Pandemic.

These include: