HAITI
Disaster Relief
Disaster Relief
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding to this earthquake through Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance and its partners. Presbyterian World Mission is gathering information on the
safety and status of our mission personnel and ecumenical partners in the area. For updates on the
earthquake and the church’s response, please visit PDA. Initial reports indicate a large number of
casualties and widespread damage especially in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. As time goes on,
a long term assistance plan will be developed to help rebuild Haiti.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
PRAY!
God of compassion, please watch over the people of Haiti, and weave out of these terrible
happenings wonders of goodness and grace. Surround those who have been affected by tragedy
with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find
you and be comforted. Guide us as a church to find ways of providing assistance that heal wounds
and provide hope. Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers we all suffer;
through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with you. Amen.
(Adapted from Book of Common Worship)
IMMEDIATE NEEDS!
Palms West Church has an amazing opportunity to provide IMMEDIATE help to those suffering in
Haiti. Our sister church, First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach, has a direct link with
Missionary Flights International, who are currently flying at least once daily into Port Au Prince, Haiti.
These volunteer pilots are transporting much needed basics, such as food and medicines, which are
collected locally. They also bring back lists of urgently needed supplies.
These are immediate needs:
You can help by donating any of the items listed above. There will be a black collection box outside
the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings. These donated items will be taken to North Palm Beach Church
for immediate transport to Haiti. Our thanks to Rev. Hilliard of First Presbyterian Church of North Palm
Beach for the opportunity to partner with them.
ONGOING RELIEF
Funds from One Great Hour of Sharing are already helping with the initial response. You can
give to the ongoing relief through PDA account number DR000064. Gifts can also be made by
phone at (800) 872-3283 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST) and checks can be mailed to
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Disaster Assistance and its partners. Presbyterian World Mission is gathering information on the
safety and status of our mission personnel and ecumenical partners in the area. For updates on the
earthquake and the church’s response, please visit PDA. Initial reports indicate a large number of
casualties and widespread damage especially in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. As time goes on,
a long term assistance plan will be developed to help rebuild Haiti.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
PRAY!
God of compassion, please watch over the people of Haiti, and weave out of these terrible
happenings wonders of goodness and grace. Surround those who have been affected by tragedy
with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find
you and be comforted. Guide us as a church to find ways of providing assistance that heal wounds
and provide hope. Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers we all suffer;
through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with you. Amen.
(Adapted from Book of Common Worship)
IMMEDIATE NEEDS!
Palms West Church has an amazing opportunity to provide IMMEDIATE help to those suffering in
Haiti. Our sister church, First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach, has a direct link with
Missionary Flights International, who are currently flying at least once daily into Port Au Prince, Haiti.
These volunteer pilots are transporting much needed basics, such as food and medicines, which are
collected locally. They also bring back lists of urgently needed supplies.
These are immediate needs:
You can help by donating any of the items listed above. There will be a black collection box outside
the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings. These donated items will be taken to North Palm Beach Church
for immediate transport to Haiti. Our thanks to Rev. Hilliard of First Presbyterian Church of North Palm
Beach for the opportunity to partner with them.
ONGOING RELIEF
Funds from One Great Hour of Sharing are already helping with the initial response. You can
give to the ongoing relief through PDA account number DR000064. Gifts can also be made by
phone at (800) 872-3283 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST) and checks can be mailed to
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Snack type food-granola bars, etc. Towels & Washcloths
Cereal Blankets
Peanut butter First Aid Supplies
Dried Fruit Antibiotics
First Aid Kits
Hygiene products-soap, toothpaste, shampoo, tooth brushes, etc.
NO CLOTHES AT THIS TIME!
Cereal Blankets
Peanut butter First Aid Supplies
Dried Fruit Antibiotics
First Aid Kits
Hygiene products-soap, toothpaste, shampoo, tooth brushes, etc.
NO CLOTHES AT THIS TIME!
| Click here for more Information, latest News & Updates from PCUSA PDA |
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| PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE HAITI UPDATE Randy Ackley, Co-ordinator, PDA By now most of the world knows of the terrible earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In the wake of this great human tragedy, we are grateful for the outpouring of so many expressions of care and generosity from Presbyterians everywhere. Because of your quick response, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) was able to double its commitment of funds to provide immediate aid those first few days following the quake. Your gifts were put to effective and strategic work in coordinated efforts with our international and ecumenical partners, Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance and Church World Service (CSW). The first phase of response included search and rescue teams, food and water distribution sites, and medical care for the injured. There is still much work to be done. One week later, following a major aftershock, the death toll keeps rising. There may well be more than 100,000 fatalities. Among the dead is a long-time partner in relief efforts, Sam Dixon, executive director of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Our hearts are heavy, yet inspired by the daring and faithful service of so many people. Despite the overwhelming circumstances and even threat of personal danger, God’s love is made incarnate by the courageous and compassionate work of God’s people. PDA staff member Carlos Cardenas reports from Port-au-Prince that shortages of fuel and transportation create extra challenges to the already overwhelming challenge of receiving and delivering food, water, and medical supplies. Jean Zaché Duracin, who leads the PC(USA)’s partner church in Haiti, is living in a tent city in Port- au-Prince. Duracin, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, rejected offers to be evacuated after his home crumbled in the earthquake. He vowed to “stay with my people,” the Episcopal News Service reported. Given the extremely limed resources at the moment, the bishop urges American congregations to have patience with regard to sending large volumes of volunteers at this time. Every outside volunteer places a demand on resources, fuel, food and water that is desperately needed by the earthquake survivors right now. Those who do have a passion to serve are encouraged to register their interest so that we can contact you when the situation is stable and appropriate. The Episcopal cathedral is gone. Schools and hospitals are destroyed. Government buildings are in ruins. With so many symbols of safety and security destroyed the people search for signs of hope. Mark Hare, PC(USA) mission co-worker to Haiti, writes: Port au Prince has been deeply wounded. The whole country will be deeply affected. I have no answers for any of these problems. Just the reminder that I felt, again, this morning while reading the [Mission] Yearbook [for Prayer & Study], that our God is a God of hope, that despair has already been defeated, and [that] now is the time to face what has happened and to act, act out of that hope and not out of despair. I don't have any idea what that will mean. But our God is up to the task. Pray for us, that we will also be up to the task. Yes. Our God is up to the task. Pray that we will all be up to the task. Join Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in the relief efforts. As God’s people we are called to stand in the “GAP” — GIVE. ACT. PRAY. Give — Financial support for relief efforts can be made online and designated to DR000064. Gifts can also be made by phone at (800) 872-3283, and checks can be mailed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264- 3700. Act — Prepare for a special worship service in your congregation using the hymn, bulletin inserts and other worship resources available from PDA. Congregations and individuals can also put together hygiene kits and baby kits to be distributed through Church World Service. Pray — Join with others in lifting up the people of Haiti and those seeking to provide aid in this critical time. As the eyes of the world turn to Haiti, let us join our hearts in prayer. |
PDA RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK
Assistance for medical services in Haiti
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is
pleased to announce that $200,000 from
funds designated for Haiti has been provided
to the Hôpital Sainte Croix (Holy Cross
Hospital) and the Faculte des Sciences
Infirmiere l’Universite Episcopale d’Haiti (FSIL)
nursing school in Leogane.
Hôpital Sainte Croix — a historical
Presbyterian-supported hospital in
partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of
Haiti — has served as the primary medical
facility in Leogane and is the teaching facility
for the nearby FSIL nursing school. It has
been a center for compassionate Christian
care in Leogane for decades. The nursing
school has been a beacon of hope in an
impoverished area, providing opportunities
for young people to prepare for careers in
service to their communities. It is the only
baccalaureate nursing program in Haiti and
the only four-year nursing school that admits
male students.
In response to the January 12, 2010,
earthquake, the FSIL nursing students have
established 10 emergency care units
throughout Leogane under the direction of
school’s Dean. The grounds of the nursing
school have become a triage area, with
thousands of patients and other people living
outdoors on the grounds. Student nurses are
providing all levels of service. Doctors
Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières
(MSF) and a team from Japan are now
working at the nursing school, but it is
anticipated that they will remain in Leogane
for a limited period of time.
The tragedy of the earthquake has created
critical needs. An estimated 90 percent of the
city of Leogane was destroyed in the quake.
With large populations now departing Port-au-
Prince for the country, it is anticipated that
Leogane — a city of about 50,000, will
become more populated with the displaced
people. It is crucial to get electricity, plumbing,
water and sanitation in this place as soon as
possible to provide emergency care.
Holy Cross Hospital is damaged but still
standing; it is the only medical facility in the
Leogane area to provide a site to perform
emergency procedures, such as surgical,
amputations and deliveries. There is much
rampant infection in this area and the hospital
is needed for intravenous antibiotic
administration. Without electricity and
plumbing, the minimum amount of care will not
be available for victims of this quake.
Funds from PDA will be used to purchase and
provide the following for the hospital:
electrical power and distribution systems,
water pump, storage and distribution system,
sanitary sewage lines and sewage
containment and disposal system, diesel
generator and fuel for diesel generators and
vehicles.
The abundant generosity of shared blessings
makes this possible. Thank you for your
continued support.
Assistance for medical services in Haiti
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is
pleased to announce that $200,000 from
funds designated for Haiti has been provided
to the Hôpital Sainte Croix (Holy Cross
Hospital) and the Faculte des Sciences
Infirmiere l’Universite Episcopale d’Haiti (FSIL)
nursing school in Leogane.
Hôpital Sainte Croix — a historical
Presbyterian-supported hospital in
partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of
Haiti — has served as the primary medical
facility in Leogane and is the teaching facility
for the nearby FSIL nursing school. It has
been a center for compassionate Christian
care in Leogane for decades. The nursing
school has been a beacon of hope in an
impoverished area, providing opportunities
for young people to prepare for careers in
service to their communities. It is the only
baccalaureate nursing program in Haiti and
the only four-year nursing school that admits
male students.
In response to the January 12, 2010,
earthquake, the FSIL nursing students have
established 10 emergency care units
throughout Leogane under the direction of
school’s Dean. The grounds of the nursing
school have become a triage area, with
thousands of patients and other people living
outdoors on the grounds. Student nurses are
providing all levels of service. Doctors
Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières
(MSF) and a team from Japan are now
working at the nursing school, but it is
anticipated that they will remain in Leogane
for a limited period of time.
The tragedy of the earthquake has created
critical needs. An estimated 90 percent of the
city of Leogane was destroyed in the quake.
With large populations now departing Port-au-
Prince for the country, it is anticipated that
Leogane — a city of about 50,000, will
become more populated with the displaced
people. It is crucial to get electricity, plumbing,
water and sanitation in this place as soon as
possible to provide emergency care.
Holy Cross Hospital is damaged but still
standing; it is the only medical facility in the
Leogane area to provide a site to perform
emergency procedures, such as surgical,
amputations and deliveries. There is much
rampant infection in this area and the hospital
is needed for intravenous antibiotic
administration. Without electricity and
plumbing, the minimum amount of care will not
be available for victims of this quake.
Funds from PDA will be used to purchase and
provide the following for the hospital:
electrical power and distribution systems,
water pump, storage and distribution system,
sanitary sewage lines and sewage
containment and disposal system, diesel
generator and fuel for diesel generators and
vehicles.
The abundant generosity of shared blessings
makes this possible. Thank you for your
continued support.