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ONEXONE founder heads to Haiti

Redken partner charity works hard to help those affected by earthquake

Feb. 5, 2010- There has been an outpouring of love and unprecedented generosity for Haiti, as the world sprung to action raising funds and volunteering to help with relief efforts. Last week we posted our own industry’s fundraising efforts after receiving e-mails from salons, manufacturers and distributors outlining their initiatives. However, as the media glare slowly dissipates, it is imperative to remember that the road to rebuilding Haiti has only just begun.

ONEXONE is Redken’s partner charity for their annual national cut-a-thon. Salon52.ca spoke with founder Joey Adler, who has already been on three disaster relief missions to Haiti, about ONEXONE’s initiatives.

With such an overwhelming need, as an organization what are the first steps you took? How do you even begin to build a plan of action?

The morning after the earthquake, I received a phone call from Edward Rogers at 7:30 am pledging $250, 000. At the same time, our chair Frank McKenna was reaching out to Air Canada to see if they were going to replicate the amazing work they had done during Katrina. They were the first commercial flight to land and ran 16 evacuation flights.
I felt that Paul Farmer's Partners in Health (PIH), our partners on the ground, with their wide experience and being at the forefront of medicine in Haiti, should tell us what they needed. I believed it was imperative that we send only what they asked for; anything else would be a waste.
We spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as a board, working around the clock to get all the requests from PIH. That first flight left Saturday morning from Montreal with 9,000 kilos of medicine, medical equipment and water. And that was only the first flight.

What have been ONEXONE's contributions to date? So far we have sent in three flights, and this Saturday, Feb. 5 we will fly a fourth. After this flight, we will have shipped approximately 120,000 lbs of medicine, medical equipment, water, tents, and other necessities, the value being well into the multi-millions of dollars. As a foundation we have managed to get most of this donated by our partners, which include PepsiCo Canada, Canadian Tire, Apotex, Clean4e, The Capital District Health Authority Halifax, Jewish General Hospital Montreal, Judith Irving and Jean Irving, Midland Transportation, Rogers Communications and The Bay and of Air Canada's incredible generosity to give us the space. We have also raised money. At this time, we don't have a final tally, but we will be segregating those funds for either more aid to PIH or a long term project with them.

ONEXONE has been committed to improving the conditions in Haiti since 2006. Having travelled there in the past and having a personal connection to the country through your close friend Wyclef Jean, what was your reaction when you first landed in Haiti post-earthquake?

I had a very hard time that first Saturday. When I returned to Montreal on Sunday I could barely speak. I made the big mistake of giving media interviews, something I haven't done since, until now. I wasn't prepared for what I saw. I don't believe anyone can ever understand the difference between what you see on television and actually seeing it. I still can't really talk about it.

What can you tell me about the feeling there now? Is there a glimmer of hope?

In just two weeks, there have already been some interesting things happening, like markets on the streets; the Haitian people are a very resilient people. The situation is still incredibly bleak, however, when you think of the outpouring of love and support from the world, I think this alone is a glimmer of hope. The world has never given like it has here. I only hope that all organizations will be held accountable for where every penny goes and that we will all try as much as possible to make sure it is well spent.

What are the most pressing concerns in Haiti right now?

We've gone from medical emergency to, I think, a state of transition. People are homeless. There’s a pressing need for shelter and tents. Sanitary issues and lack of water will have to be dealt with as soon as possible. Port-au-Prince will have to be razed, clearly, and millions of people will have to be moved. The rainy season is coming and it’s on everyone's mind. The requests for waterproof and wind-proof shelter are pouring in. We haven't even scratched the surface. Also very problematic is the spreading of diseases like cholera and other such problems that arise from lack of clean water.

When devastation strikes, one of the fears is what will happen when the media glare dissipates and it's no longer a top news item. What are your thoughts on this?

Everyone should remember that the press is leaving or has left, but the situation is just as dire and the work will be a long process. So if they gave donations, follow up with the organizations, make sure they’re doing the work with all the money that was raised. Let's not forget Haiti again.

To make a donation towards Haiti relief or to read Joelle Adler’s blog, on the ground from Haiti, visit onexone.org/haiti.

-By Tina Christopoulos

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