CVM's Presence in HaitiClick here to read the latest updates about CVM's fieldworkers and current work in Haiti. CVM has been working on the ground in Haiti for 30 years helping to train animal health workers and help Haitians raise healthier animals that help provide nutrition for families and money for school fees and medicine. CVM's programs during that time have been lead by 11 different veterinary missionaries. CVM is also very active in mobilizing veterinary volunteers and has coordinated over 300 people serving in Haiti.  CVM longest serving staff member in Haiti is Dr. Keith Flanagan and his wife Jan, natives of Oklahoma who have been serving in Haiti for 23 years. Known as “Dr Keith” by Haitians all over the country, Keith is a networker extraordinaire. Keith has helped to design and run animal health and community development projects all over the country, much of this in the early years with World Concern and Hospital Albert Switzer. The last 5 years he has served with Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) coordinating their animal health programs across the country. Keith is a critical player in the emergency response with responsibilities in the government and his heart with the people and the church. Keith partners locally with church and school under the leadership of Vision du Siecle (VIS).
Keith's understanding of Haiti and ability to network responders has been critical in past disasters. Following is a testimony to that:  "The whole mission in Haiti would have been a huge failure if not for the help of Dr. Keith Flanagan, an American veterinarian who has been there doing mission work for 22 years. Dr. Flanagan was a critical asset for the success of our mission and is a sincerely caring professional who has dedicated his professional career to help Haiti. He has unselfishly served there with Christian Veterinary Mission. Without his presence and unrelenting work, I would shudder to think of the state of animal health and associated public health in that country."
Bryan F. Buss, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
Dr. Kelly Crowdis started serving with CVM as a short-term volunteer in Haiti and fell in love with the people. She returned to Haiti full time in 2006 teaching agriculture and animal health courses at American University for one year. Dr. Crowdis is now assisting with the training of Haitian Veterinarians and animal health agents and developing livestock loan programs. Dr. Crowdis helped coordinate CVM's response to Hurricane Katrina prior to going to Haiti and is well equipped to respond in this crisis. CVM's Response to the Haiti Earthquake1) Save livesDr. Crowdis and Dr. Flanagan were in Port-au-Prince during the earthquake and started to respond immediately. In the first days Dr. Crowdis and Flanagan were involved in helping friends and staff find and provide care for their families, as well as assisting the wounded to get treatment or evacuation. With such utter destruction there were very few resources so they are doing this with their knowledge of the area to find local supplies. Communication has been limited and time is short to help those in need.  2) Stabilize Community
Details are limited now but CVM staff will be working to coordinate local resources and needs with the International response, helping Haitian families get resettled, providing food and water for their families and addressing public health issues associated with animals. 3) RebuildCVM has been in Haiti for over 30 years helping Haitians provide for their families. The earthquake destroyed many homes and disrupted people's ability to provide for themselves. Livestock are a key part of food production in Haiti and CVM will continue to help Haitians get and raise healthy animals.  4) Volunteer
CVM effectively utilized professional veterinary volunteers to meet training needs all over Haiti. As those needs open up CVM will continue to do this work. Currently with the crises in the city, veterinary teams are not needed, but as soon as there are needs CVM will be recruiting volunteers for these trips. If you are interested please join the CVM Veterinary Mission Volunteer Program. Click here for more information. 5) PrayYour prayers are critical to those who have lost so much in Haiti. With every disaster like this, the people on the ground pour themselves out nearly to exhaustion in service of those they love. Please pray for Keith and Jan Flanagan and their son Brian, and Kelly Crowdis that the Lord would sustain them. Pray for wisdom in how they can use their talents to serve those in need. As the Lord prompts you to pray and respond please do! 6) GiveThe biggest need we anticipate now is funds to help earthquake victims get food, water, medical care, shelter and start to put their lives back together. Please pray about giving to the CVM Haiti Earthquake Response Fund. Donations can be made over the web (click here) or a check can be made out to CVM and sent to 19303 Fremont Ave W, Seattle WA 98133 and marked for "Haiti Earthquake Fund."
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