January 23, 2010

After serving hundreds of patients for more than a week in Haiti, Dr. Omar Shams, Humanity First Disaster Relief Medical volunteer returned to the United States on Saturday, January 23. Dr. Shams arrived at New Orleans International (MSY) airport, at 10:45 PM CT.

Humanity First USA volunteer Dr. Omar Shams interview on channel 4 WWL in New Orleans

Dr. Shams is a cardiology fellow at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana and has had a lifelong passion for humanitarianism and community service. Upon learning of the Earthquake in Haiti, Dr Shams immediately offered his help in the relief efforts being conducted through Humanity First USA. Reports indicate almost 3 million people were affected by the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake, countless are still trapped under large debris from collapsed bridges and buildings. The team reached Haiti only 4 days after the earthquake hit and worked tirelessly day and night to treat anyone that needed help. Within a day of arriving Humanity First established a medical clinic and Dr. Shams saw over a hundred patients each day. He called the experience "life-changing" and said that he sees himself going back to Haiti regularly and that the Haitians are his "angels."

To continue ongoing medical camp and relief operations, four doctors including two renowned neurosurgeons, Dr. Osama El-Mefty and Dr. Kenneth Crawford departed for Haiti Friday, January 22nd from Baltimore International Airport. This team from the US will join other members from Humanity First Canada and UK all arriving at the same time. Humanity First command centers are located in Canada, USA and UK with hundreds of volunteers working hard around the clock to support the relief work in Haiti.

Photos

Take Action. Give.

Humanity First USA is also accepting donations for the relief work. You may donate online by going to http://usa.humanityfirst.org or by mailing a check to Humanity First USA at the following address:

Humanity First USA
300 E. Lombard Street (Suite 840)
Baltimore, MD 21202

For more information please visit our website or contact:
Iftikhar Ahmed
Director, Funds Development
Phone: (877) 99-HFUSA

Humanity First, USA, a 501(c) 3- registered nonprofit organization, was established in 2004 to restore disaster-stricken and under-developed and vulnerable communities around the globe. Humanity First is a leading non-profit relief organization whose board of directors, management team, and project staff running the day-to-day operations are all dedicated volunteers with diverse professional backgrounds including business, healthcare, and education sectors. Humanity First has been expanding over the last few years to now being a registered charity in 29  countries worldwide.