Scripps CEO Witnesses Devastation in Haiti While Gaining Valuable Disaster Training

When the Scripps team returned to Haiti with more medical supplies, Van Gorder says they could administer pain medications and general anesthesia.

"Instead of going directly to amputations, we were trying to save limbs," he says. "But we had one woman who died of pneumonia and congestive heart failure. There was no technology there to save her. She died outside under a tent. It was the best we could do under the circumstances."

Van Gorder says the road to recovery for Haiti will be long. Non-governmental organizations that are trying to provide care and other assistance must understand that the Haitian government has essentially ceased to exist.

"The Health Ministry completely collapsed with many of the leaders of healthcare in Haiti killed within the building. The Supreme Court was killed in session. The palace has been destroyed," Van Gorder says.

"The question is what happens from here? It's a poor country that imports everything and exports little if anything. They had a hard time feeding and educating their population before this. Look at the destruction, both in the public and private infrastructure, and you wonder where the money is going to come from to rebuild. I often wonder how long countries and hospitals will have the appetite to continue to work in Haiti. It's not month, we are talking years before they can recover."