UPDATE...Good News from Haiti

Pastor Ignace Augustin of Bethanie Evangelical Mission has been able to provide permanent housing to 24 families. The dwelling is located in Carrefour near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Those who were displaced now have a place to retreat from the burning heat of the sun during the day and to rest comfortably at night.

Outside the dwelling

Inside a single unit

As God provides, additional homes will be build in Leogane, the place where Evangel's Team Haiti worked to bring relief. Keep Haiti, Pastor Ignace Augustin,and Bethanie Evangelical Mission in your prayers!

-- Read the original report below. --

Haiti Earthquake Relief Trip Report
January 2010

No words can express the severity of the damage, the crushing weight of the situation, or the overwhelming needs of those impacted by the earthquake in Haiti. Below is a brief synopsis of what Team Haiti Earthquake Relief encountered during their stay. View Photos

Devastation
Homes, churches, businesses, and lives perished in and around Port-au-Prince as the quake shattered structures. Leogane, a nearby city where the earthquake is believed to have originated, suffered 80% damage. Schools were closed. Roads were under construction. The airport was nearly paralyzed, only allowing military evacuations.

The number of casualties is estimated to be more than 100,000. As long as three weeks after the quake, people continued to search for loved ones, hoping to find them alive in the rubble or to simply provide a proper burial. Many survivors are being treated in overcrowded hospitals and, at times, in tent hospitals on makeshift pallets.

Resilience

Make no mistake about it; the situation is dire. For an already struggling country with a reportedly weak infrastructure, the outlook seems bleak. But, it all pales in comparison to the resilience and fortitude of Haitians. It is stunning to witness the resourcefulness and patience of people in crisis. Holding fast to their faith, Haitians recognize that the task is arduous but not insurmountable.

Resourcefulness: Many people have erected fragile but needed shelter using sticks, straw, and sheets while some were fortunate to obtain tents from rescue workers. These structures won’t withstand gale force winds from storms or hurricanes, but they do provide some protection from the hot Haitian sun and the barrage of dust.

Patience: Haitians wait patiently for aid while continuing to care for children, the elderly, and wounded loved ones. Merchants go to the market early, hoping to earn enough to sustain their families and get back on their feet. The number of people in distress is staggering, but the desire for order and structure is evident in the actions of those who desperately need aid.

Hope

Team Haiti Earthquake Relief worked with Bethanie Evangelical Mission to provide much needed assistance to “tent cities” that had yet to receive aid. Loaded with medical supplies and other materials (i.e., water, soap, toothbrushes, underwear, flashlights, dry goods, etc.), the team brought hope, hugs, and help to the seemingly forgotten. Two nurses treated over 700 people, including cleaning, treating, and dressing over 100 wounds. The team was able to distribute hundreds of bottles of water and care packages. There were many heartwarming moments as members of the team held infants, spoke words of encouragement, and prayed for those who came forward.

Commitment

It's not over! There is still much work to do. Doubtless, it will take years for the country of Haiti to recover. A bottle of water today does not satisfy the thirst of tomorrow. A makeshift dwelling will not withstand the tests of severe weather. Although an encouraging word goes a long way, there’s always room for more.

Evangel Assembly is dedicated to providing ongoing support to Haiti by shipping supplies and sending teams to assist restoration efforts. Please continue to pray for and provide support to the people of Haiti.

If you would like to make an online donation to the relief effort, click here and enter "Haiti Relief" in the Designation field.

Needs

Pictures only partially convey the gravity of situation. As of the week of January 25th, there were still many “tent cities” that had not received any aid. Needs varied from medical care to food and shelter. In many areas of Haiti, people do not have access to clean and/or running water. Those who live away from the city often do not have consistent access to food and supplies.

Team Haiti Earthquake Relief noted the following items that are in high demand:

• Food
• Water
• Tents / Tarps
• Clothes
• Underwear
• Diapers
• Over-the-counter medication for all ages (colds, cuts, fevers, rashes, and general wound care/cleansing, eye wash)
• Toiletries
• Candles / Solar-powered flashlights

The items listed above are needed immediately, but will also be needed during the long-term effort to rebuild. Medical care and construction/debris removal are other ongoing needs.

If you would like to donate clothes and materials, you can drop off items during operating hours. Emergency closures due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances will be noted on the Evangel Assembly home page.