Triple Canopy Donates and Delivers Humanitarian Aid to Haitian Earthquake Victims

HERNDON, Va., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Triple Canopy, Inc., a leading provider of integrated security and mission support services, announced today that it has donated supplies, transportation and personnel in an effort to provide shelter to thousands of homeless earthquake victims in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100317/PH72290 )

Triple Canopy is supporting the efforts of the Haitian Group for the Study of Kaposi's Sarcoma and Opportunistic Infections (GHESKIO) to deliver aid to homeless families camped on its compound. Triple Canopy was able to coordinate with staff from GHESKIO to determine what kind of aid would be the most helpful. Within two weeks of establishing contact, a chartered flight loaded with tents, flashlights, generators and other vital items landed in Port-au-Prince.

Founded in 1982, the GHESKIO Center was the first institution in the world dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS. In the aftermath of the earthquake, thousands of refugees migrated to the center and have been living there in makeshift shelters.

"Upon learning about the dire situation on the ground, Triple Canopy reached out to Dr. Bill Pape, director of GHESKIO, and ascertained the critical need for shelter prior to the onslaught of the rainy season," said Triple Canopy CEO Ignacio Balderas. "For the past three weeks, hundreds of entire Haitian families designated by GHESKIO were able to move out of their makeshift hovels and move into waterproof tents erected by our personnel."

According to Dr. Pape, "Triple Canopy has made a huge difference in the lives of the people at the GHESKIO tent city. Taking people out of the rain and placing them under a tent will prevent many diseases. In addition, it has given them some dignity." Triple Canopy was also able to donate more than a hundred tents to GHESKIO employees who have been tirelessly helping others even though their own living situation was far from ideal. "We are grateful as well to them for providing tents for our own employees, many whom have had their houses completely destroyed and were sleeping outside," said Dr. Pape.

"Triple Canopy strives to continually enhance the lives of people through community service, charitable contributions and fundraising efforts," said Balderas. "Together with our employees, we're glad to be able to make a small difference in the lives of Haitian families in need."

In coordination with Triple Canopy, the GHESKIO Center also received supplies and logistics donated by Diamondback Tactical, Remote Medical International, US21 and Tidewater Packaging Services.

About GHESKIO

For more than twenty years, GHESKIO has served as the Haitian government's research and training center for HIV/AIDS, and is now an internationally-recognized center of excellence. Dr. Bill Pape has been the director of GHESKIO since its inception and many of GHESKIO's staff members have been with the center for more than twenty years. Dr. Pape and the Board of Directors work with the Community Advisory Board, the Weill Cornell Medical College and other universities, and the Fondation Rodolphe Merieux to coordinate the core sections of the center, including the clinics, counseling, pharmacy, laboratory, finance and administration. 

About Triple Canopy

Triple Canopy is a leading provider of integrated security and mission support services to government agencies, private corporations and non-governmental organizations worldwide. From logistics and training to personal protection and crisis management, Triple Canopy offers customized, comprehensive solutions that help clients mitigate risk and operate efficiently regardless of their location. Triple Canopy is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Visit triplecanopy.com.

SOURCE Triple Canopy Inc.