Inside 2023

Dear OTG Supporters,

As we near the end of another incredibly challenging and an increasingly difficult and dark year, we invite our supporters to learn about all the ways our non-profit organization, Off-The-Grid Missions (OTG), has been working to heal suffering around the world.

In 2023, amidst countless obstacles, OTG remained the sole non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to bridging the gap in disaster response. Your generous contributions have empowered us to deliver vital aid, including medical response, food relief, solar lights, powerbanks, reusable period pads, clean water systems, and more to Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled (DHHDBDD) people and their families in high-risk regions. With more than 1.5 billion people worldwide affected by hearing loss, they are often the first to lose ‘access’ even before a disaster strikes. OTG’s deaf-led team communicates in a multitude of regional sign languages and international sign, and is trained in OTG’s disaster response program. We work hard to ensure that donor support directly reaches DHHDBDD people in crisis.

Here’s a summary of our year-long efforts dedicated to easing the suffering for isolated Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) families around the world.

Beyond Borders

Navigating government sanctions, violence, disasters, communication barriers, and more.

There is no blueprint for transporting humanitarian aid into disaster and war zones. Our supplies cater to specific needs, assisting people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, with vision loss, blind, elderly, and disabled. Identifying them amid power outages or complete darkness poses an initial challenge before assessing the often-damaged terrains. Desperate situations can also attract theft and violence, compelling us to continually strategize for safe corridors. Despite our regional teams’ familiarity with the area, ‘ground-zero’ introduces new and significant risks. Government sanctions can also hinder or block international aid by closing borders, or limiting/prohibiting select regions of the world from giving aid.

The regions of the world where we respond are not always covered in the media, and the people we serve typically do not have the privilege to seek safe refuge/cross borders. Where there is international attention or aid, the voices of DHH and people with disabilities (PWDs) are frequently absent. This compels us to release graphic material from the frontlines to raise awareness and support.

Protecting our team and the people we are serving involves numerous strategies. Though this crucial aspect of our operations might be less visible and thus less appreciated, it is nonetheless a significant part of ‘how’ we carry out each mission.

Longterm Aid
in Haiti

OTG’s longest program, operating for over ten years.

'We are either bringing critical aid to Deaf people, or we are burying their bodies.’

Three years ago, our campaign aimed at ending violence against Deaf people in Haiti was followed with a tumultuous period; the assassination of the Haitian President alongside the vicious attack and burning down of a Deaf camp housing many DHHDBDD families. Since then, Haiti has seen a collapsed government, gang control, aid organization closures, kidnappings, cholera outbreaks, and ongoing floods further devastating and isolating the DHH Community. Despite immense setbacks and valid reasons to cease our operations, we persevered, strengthened our team, and forged new partnerships. Our work in Haiti has become significantly more challenging yet increasingly vital.

Unlike responding to weather-related disasters, providing aid in Haiti lacks safe corridors or secure transportation routes for deaf victims to hospitals. Gangs will constantly stop our team en route, and invasions can restrict when we deliver aid. This has led to painful suffering and even death, when our team is blocked from transporting DHH victims to the hospital. Deaf victims often endure hours-long motorbike journeys through rough terrain. Despite an unchangeable environment, our operation in Haiti is a lifeline for DHHDBDD people, saving them and their children from excruciating and life-threatening circumstances. Without OTG’s presence there, critical aid for DHH people would not exist.

Over the past year, our NGO has been tirelessly providing transportation for deaf and disabled individuals to hospitals, advocating for their care, covering medical expenses (including surgeries and even burial costs). Additionally, we have supplied food relief, baby formula, mattresses, bedding, tarps, hygiene supplies, reusable period pads, and more. Due to the ongoing situation, we have been asking for monthly donations to meet the continuous needs.

#offthegridHAITI

 Ukraine War

Aid distributions continue for a second year.

Last year, OTG led the largest ground operation to rescue DHHDBDD families out of Ukraine and provide life-saving aid to those who could not evacuate. Because we can not predict how long the war will last and what regions will become affected, we established hubs throughout the country. This was a proactive measure so that we could continue to disperse aid as it becomes available to us.

This year, we continued to distribute several hundred solar lights with mobile charging units in addition to clean water filtration systems. Solar lights are a great necessity for DHH people as they allow for accessible communications via Sign Language when the electrical grid is destroyed. The USB mobile charging port allows phones to charge for sending and receiving vital information. The red light setting helps alert warnings, is helpful to deter mosquitos and provides visual access for people with low vision. The blink setting helps DHH people know when someone is trying to get their attention.

#offthegridUKRAINE

Pakistan Floods

In Pakistan, deaf families suffered greatly after massive floods washed away their homes last year. Desperate deaf parents were risking their life to provide for their children; it is not unusual to sell a kidney for one month’s worth of food.

In the aftermath of the floods, dust, dirt and debris made it tough to feel any sense of normalcy. To help restore comfort, we got creative and worked with local artisans to craft vibrant, handmade beds, blankets, and pillows. These pieces, infused with care and color, became a crucial part of our ongoing efforts to bring a touch of home to those affected. However, our operations in Pakistan face a significant challenge due to the lack of international media coverage and limited support, making it hard for us to raise the much-needed funds to support the large Deaf Community there.

#offthegridPAKISTAN

Türkiye & Syria Earthquakes

Both regions shared the impact of massive earthquakes reaching as high as 7.8 magnitude.

Unlike in Türkiye, our operations in Syria have been beyond difficult due to government sanctions and other high-risks that even bringing in aid like solar equipment has been merely impossible. Solar lights in bulk are questioned to be bombs and our gear has been targeted for theft by militants. Syrians are surviving in uninhabitable living conditions from a long history of war, violence, civil unrest, and then compounded by the devastating 7.8 earthquake. Deaf families are forced to live in homes with cracked walls and roofs, without running water and electricity… unable to flee to refugee camps. We have been helping Deaf Syrian families by providing food boxes and solar light equipment.

Maui Wildfires

Maui’s Three-Part Mission

Following the deadly wildfire in Lahaina, we recognized the Deaf Community's lack of vital information as information was changing quickly and oftentimes what was available online was not provided in caption or sign language. To address this, we swiftly established an accessible Emergency Hub, offering real-time updates for all Maui residents re: local shelter and aid distribution locations while also featuring a variety of Deaf-led Mental Health resources in American and International Sign Language.

On the ground, we provided hard-to-reach resources like solar lights with USB chargers for areas facing power disruptions. Additionally, we equipped local Deaf-led teams with battery packs for sustained assistance; and offered clean water filtration systems, reusable period pads, and more to deaf families.

Expanding our impact, we proactively supported Honolulu's Deaf Community. Overall, our efforts aimed to empower and prepare Hawaii's Deaf Community for current and future disasters.

The shooting in Maine directly impacted the Deaf Community when the gunman took the lives of four deaf people: Steven Vozzella, Joshua Seal, Bill Bracket, and Bryan MacFarlane.

"This sends chills through our community," Angela Maria Nardolillo, Executive Director of deaf-focused international disaster nonprofit Off-The-Grid Missions, said via text message. "There is a stark overcast when violence hits your community, a community so tight-knit and yet so vulnerable."

Victims do not have the privilege of time, humanitarians do not have the privilege of looking away.

Amidst our darkest times, OTG, irrespective of governments or politics, stands united in our mission to provide vital assistance to all DHH people in crisis.

Each OTG team member started at ‘ground-zero’, often as survivor or local volunteer in an area we once aided. We forged connections amidst the most challenging circumstances. Our cause is difficult and yet, therapeutic; it allows us to connect, heal, and channel our experiences into aiding other individuals alike. With every member hailing from different regions of the world, backgrounds and beliefs; we have a common understanding that engaging in debates about anyone’s worth to exist takes our focus away from saving lives; and undermines the fundamental principles of empathy, equality, and human decency.

 The above map is the world view as of 12/28/23, showing all of the disasters happening at this moment.

There is an unprecedented worry unfolding across humanitarian organizations whose mission is to provide life-saving aid. The world is currently marked by increased division, inflation, heightened separation and internal focus, resulting in fragmentation and reduced global unity. An escalating number of DHHDBDD families are forced to flee their home and endure displacement due to conflict, violence, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. Maui August 8th, Israel October 7th, Ukraine last week, Haiti last night, Palestine today, Pakistan tomorrow, Syria next week, Puerto Rico, and before we know it we are cycling back towards hurricane season from the United States and throughout the Caribbean. Our organization is increasingly tasked with picking up the pieces in various parts of the world and attempting to sustain them for longer durations. Often, we are expected to do this work in isolation, in the absence of political solutions and sustainable funding.

Every year is difficult and comes with a whole new set of challenges; Thanks for delving into our 2023 year-in-review. Amidst the challenges, your support remains an honor. We're hopeful you'll continue standing by us in 2024.

Respectfully Yours,

Angela Maria Nardolillo
Founder & President on behalf of the entire team at Off-The-Grid Missions, NGO

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