His collarbone severely fractured in the January 12
earthquake, Haitian journalist Yves
Adler Boissonniere needed considerable medical attention—care that he could not
get in his devastated country. With US$40 and a few gourdes (Haiti’s currency) in his pocket, Boissonniere
decided in late January to cross the border to the Dominican Republic
in hopes of getting care. Yet his situation remained exceedingly difficult: A
few dollars could not pay for the X-rays, examinations, and treatment he needed.
This week, Boissonniere’s prospects brightened
when he received grants from international organizations,
including CPJ, that will allow him to seek immediate care.
In a telephone interview from the Dominican Republic,
Boissonniere described the difficulties he has faced. The 27-year-old, a reporter for Radio
Amicale FM in the city of Leogane, saw his home collapse around him
during the earthquake. Boissonniere said
he and his mother spent more than two hours
under the rubble before being freed.
After arriving in the Dominican
Republic, Boissonniere settled
temporarily with a friend in the capital, Santo Domingo. But a clinic in Jimani
turned him back for lack of money, one in a series of rejections. Hospitals in Santo
Domingo also declined to treat a patient without the
means the pay.
After learning of Boissonniere’s needs,
CPJ circulated his story among international humanitarian and press freedom
organizations. On Thursday, after evaluating Boissonniere’s case, a team from Copenhagen-based
International Media Support delivered a US$1,000 grant. Today, CPJ was able to
wire Boissonniere another US$1,500.
Editor’s
Note:
If you have any information on journalists and media outlets in
Haiti please post a comment below or
notify us via e-mail msalazar@cpj.org, or Twitter: @HelpJournalists. We are
collecting funds that will go directly to Haitian journalists. If you’d like to
make a contribution, please click this link and enter
“Haiti” in the “Notes” section on the
second page.
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You're a real hero...
Imagine what this means for that brave reporter who probably feels like he/she is alone and in danger.
Keep it up