Haitian Earthquake: How you can Help

What does it mean to have an entire city of over two million people collapse in a matter of seconds???

Our hearts are breaking. This photo is from the NY Times on Thursday.


This came in today from the Baptist Global Relief. I would encourage you who are concerned about Haiti and would like to participate in the relief efforts to check out these links.

The Lord's return is near: Let us REDEEM the time and answer the cry of the Least of These.

I know many of have asked and are praying for the devastating and tragic situation in Haiti. Let me first give you the on-the-ground info that I received from David Brown, Baptist Global Response (BGR) Americas Director:

· At least 45,000 people are now believed to have been killed and three million others left homeless. Some news agencies are reporting the death toll could be as high as 500,000.

· The infrastructure in and around the city is severely damaged; communication networks, water and electricity provision, and transportation services have been severely affected or discontinued in many areas.

· The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, with sporadic reports of looting being reported across the city.

· There are also concerns of disease outbreaks in the short-term, as local authorities do not have the resources to collect and remove the numerous dead bodies across the city.

· Commercial air service is not available so that priority can be given to disaster response entities. The airport is open in Port-au-Prince, however there are reports that some planes have been refused.

· Search and rescue of living victims and recovery of the dead are the immediate priority

Baptist Global Response (BGR) and American Peoples Affinity Cluster Leader Adam Hammond are coordinating assessment teams to get into Haiti as soon as possible. A BGR led team is scheduled to fly into Haiti as soon as permitted. The team is composed of individuals representing BGR, NAMB, 2 Baptist State Conventions, a medical doctor, the Florida Baptist convention, and IMB. Our Central America and Caribbean Cluster has an assessment team that is looking to enter Haiti from the Dominican Republic.

Many of you have asked what is best for you and your constituents who want to donate to help the relief effort. Let me strongly encourage you to donate through BGR. BGR is the Hunger and Relief branch of IMB. When you donate to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Funds those funds can only be used for relief for victims. These funds cannot even be used for travel, lodging and food of our IMB personnel (unless specifically requested by the donor). The bottom line is that I do not believe there is any better place in the world to donate than through BGR. To make the donations, go to:

http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com

Some of you have said that friends and churches are contacting you asking how they can help with volunteer teams. Please ask them to send an email to:

HaitiResponse@imb.org

Once the initial field assessments are completed, they will receive follow up information from our affinity about volunteer needs and how they can be involved in the Haiti earthquake relief effort.

Please pray during this time of great physical need that our personnel will respond in a way that meets eternal needs!

Serving Him,