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Via: CharlotteObserver.com

Linda Majchrzak of Charlotte is the financial management officer at the U.S. Embassy in earthquake-leveled Port au Prince, Haiti. Here’s a Q&A with her.

What are you doing?

“We all pitch in and take care of whatever is necessary. No one is beneath emptying garbage cans, mopping floors, or even cleaning toilets. We have very few local Haitian staff that have made it to work. Generally the housekeeping staff, as in the States, are the lowest paid employees. As a result they live in the poorest sections of Port au Prince that took the brunt of the quake. We have no problem taking over their duties.

How’s the evacuation going?

The evacuation appears to be going very well. Last night we had almost 400 Americans stay overnight at the embassy – sleeping wherever they could, including out on the lawn areas. They were hungry and thirsty. I found some of our military folks in the embassy and said, “Hey guys. I have 400 hungry and thirsty Americans in our Consular Section. What are you gonna do about it?” In less than 30 minutes I had 22 cases of MRE’s and even more water. Rounded up a few strong men, and escorted the supplies to those in need. Our heroes.

Next on the agenda was locating medical supplies for a medical-support team. Bandages, gauze, splints and, yes, I even found some ice cream for those attending the wounded. Then had to find someone to fill up the water cooler in the lobby. In between all that, I spent time communicating with our Haiti Force team in Washington. They are constantly requesting updates.

Today I am coordinating a courier run of cash to help pay for any supplies/services we need out in town. Just now I received news that they will helicopter the cash into the embassy compound from the Dominion Republic. The support we are receiving from our colleagues at the embassy in Santo Domingo is absolutely amazing. Next on the agenda will be working out how to pay the local staff. Their salaries are due next week and I’m sure they will need the money. We’ll do whatever we can to make this happen. The support from the Department of State for the Haitian people should do us all very proud.

Updates from this morning indicate that the evacuations will continue over the coming days until we accommodate everyone who wants to depart. The American citizens I saw when I came into the embassy this morning appeared to be tired, but happy they would soon be departing.

How much sleep have you had?

Sleep – what’s that?? The night of the quake I had no sleep. Since then I have been sleeping on the floor in my office at the embassy. But I’ve only been able to get a couple of hours of sleep. The aftershocks continue and many are substantial. I am feeling another as I respond to your questions. Last night I slept in my car. (Had brought it to the embassy compound the night the quake hit). I just couldn’t take sleeping on the floor in my office anymore and dealing with all those awful aftershocks. I was able to get about 6 hours of shuteye, but there were a number of interruptions as planes and helicopters were heard overhead. I also had nightmares of trying to get out of my house during the quake. I’m sure there will be many more.

The embassy is located only about 2 miles from the airport. This embassy was completed in April 2008 and was constructed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. Thus it is structurally very sound. However, those who were in the embassy when the quake hit said the building was rocking and rolling and they burrowed under their desks. There does not appear to be any cracks on the exterior or interior. However, all the movement caused some damage to the interior, mainly equipment, as a result of fallen computers, overturned file cabinets, rolling copy machines, dropped ceiling tiles, etc. However, the major structure is intact, including pipes, communications and ventilation systems. My office looked like a bunch of monkeys had a party in there. Files drawers fell open and there was paper scattered everywhere.

We’ve seen the pictures of the devastation, what’s life been like for you? You been able to go home? Take a shower?

If you think the photos are incredible, realty is a like being slapped – very hard – across the face. It literally takes your breath away and squeezes your insides. It almost seems surreal. Unfortunately it’s not.

My residence is on a compound of 18 townhouses recently built across a main road from the embassy compound. The walls surrounding the compound collapsed in several areas thus we were not allowed to sleep there until a more complete assessment was made. I was able to get into my residence briefly about an hour after the quake. It was total chaos. Overturned furniture, fallen bookcases and broken glass and debris throughout. Several mirrors shattered and the glass was everywhere.

Went home this morning and took a shower (what an incredible luxury). Discovered a few cuts and bruises I didn’t know I had. Apparently they happened as I tried to get out of the house and was bumping into things. Did a quick assessment of the damages. I am in awe – not one single crack in the walls. I truly can’t believe it, given the way those walls were rocking and rolling during the quake. (The fact that these townhouses were recently constructed with oversight from our Overseas Building Operations in Washington DC most likely secured their structural integrity.) I righted all the furniture, pulled up all the bookcases and did a quick sweep of all the broken glass into piles. Once that was done, it doesn’t look as bad as I thought. Lost a lot of stuff, but that’s all it is, just “stuff.” So happy I am alive.

My life (if you want to call it a life at the moment) consists of constant coordinating with various sections within the embassy as well as with the folks at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. Our main financial center is located in Charleston. I have continuous contact with them as we work out the logistics of money as well as the accountability factor. In addition, we continue to take care of the American citizens that are arriving in a steady stream. We will be dealing with nothing but “earthquake issues” in the weeks to come.

Our communications with Washington via email and landlines has been very good. Cell phones, however, are not operating. One communication anecdote: After running out of my residence after the quake, I encountered the rest of those living in the townhouse units out in the street. Everyone was able to get out of their residences without any injuries. My next door neighbor came out with a portable phone. We couldn’t believe it. His internet was working. He has Vonage service and we were all able to call our families in the States literally within 5 minutes after the quake hit. I was so very grateful as I was able to reach my daughter in Charlotte to let her know I was safe, and she could then pass the word to my family and friends. (Do we call this an Act of God? It sure felt like one.)

Have you accounted for all the Haitian nationals who work for the embassy?

I am extremely concerned about our Haitian national employees. I have heard from only about half of my staff. We have been receiving sporadic reports from them. Some have lost their homes, some have lost family members. We have no doubt that we will eventually receive news that some have lost their lives. I received news this morning that one of our staff lost her young daughter. She was alive but buried under the rubble of her home. They could not get her out before she expired. There is just not enough large earth-moving equipment to remove the very large chunks of concrete under which many are buried. Many of the homes here are constructed with concrete blocks. But there are no building codes, so construction is shoddy.

We have lost one of our American colleagues who died when her residence collapsed on her. One of our American staff who lived nearby was able to get out of her residence and ran to this woman’s house. She said it was nothing but a pile of rubble. She called out to her, but received no response. I am amazed at only one casualty. Many of our American staff tell stories of getting out of their residences with just the clothes on their backs. One gal said the house collapsed as she jumped out the window.

What’s your biggest concern at this point?

I am extremely concerned about all the Haitians out there who have lost everything – including the families of many of them. Where do they go? How do they eat? What about sanitation facilities? The list could go on and on.

There are continuous desperate pleas for help. While there are many relief teams on the ground, the devastation is overwhelming and it is difficult to get to so many who need assistance. The Haitians have an amazing capacity for hope and incredible resiliency. But this one has taken its toll. This place will never be the same.

Many of our staff have been “on the ground” out there. Yes, there are bodies everywhere. The looks on their faces when they return to the embassy says more than any words could reveal. Some have broken into tears. They are our real heroes.