The Diocese of Haiti Actively Responds in the Wake of Disaster with Support from Episcopal Relief & Development
January 15, 2010
In Port-au-Prince, the Diocese of Haiti has set up a camp where Haitians are seeking refuge. The Church is doing all it can to provide them with food, water and any other supplies that are available.
“It is a camp the size of a football field where Bishop Duracin and the church leadership are serving thousands of survivors,” said Abagail Nelson, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Vice President for Programs. “In the midst of losing their own homes, Diocesan offices and the Cathedral, the people of the Diocese of Haiti are reaching out in extraordinary ways to care for those in need.”
Episcopal Relief & Development is also supporting the Diocese of the Dominican Republic. As people cross the Haitian border seeking assistance, the church is working to meet their needs. Members of Episcopal Relief & Development’s staff will join them on the ground this weekend to coordinate relief efforts and tackle the enormous logistical challenges that lie ahead.
Episcopal Relief & Development has also partnered with IMA World Health to provide medical assistance to the wounded in and around Port-au-Prince. IMA World Health is a non-profit organization with working relationships throughout Haiti that will enable assistance to reach those who need it in a timely manner.
“It is deeply inspiring to see our brothers and sisters in Christ serving others even as they themselves are struggling to overcome this heart-breaking tragedy,” said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development. “The overwhelming generosity of the Episcopal Church will ensure that the Diocese of Haiti will be able to continue its ministries both in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and as recovery and rebuilding begin.”
For the most up to date information and access to resources, visit www.episcopalrelief.org/Haiti. Included on this page is a video statement from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Episcopal Relief & Development President Rob Radtke. A downloadable bulletin insert is also available in both English and Spanish.
To assist those suffering in the wake of this disaster, please consider making a donation to the Haiti Earthquake Response Fund at www.episcopalrelief.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Please write “Haiti Earthquake Response Fund” in the memo of all checks.
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
