News & Events

Our Response to the Earthquake in Haiti 

Haiti Earthquake Response Fact Sheet 1/12/10 Edition

What happened?

A 7.0 earthquake hit an area near Port-au-Prince, Haiti on 1/12/10. Damage reports are still coming in, but it appears to be a major crisis. CNN is stating that a devastating 7.0 earthquake hit the capital city of Port-au-Prince Haiti about 5 PM EST Tuesday afternoon, with upwards of 24 additional aftershocks recorded throughout the evening with some aftershocks reaching 5.9 on the Richter scale. Many government buildings including the Presidential Palace have collapsed, trapping workers and leaving many people unaccounted for. Homes, hotels, hospitals and other buildings including U.N. installations have collapsed or sustained severe damage. Thousands are unaccounted for and are feared dead or trapped beneath the rubble.

Port-au-Prince has an estimated population of 2-3 million people. Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line and 50% of the population living in abject poverty.

 

Yes, we are responding.

Haiti is in the EFCA (Evangelical Free Church of America) Southeast District. EFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response has been in contact with The Southeast District Superintendent Glen Schreiber. There is an EFCA church plant in Port-au-Prince. The pastor’s name is Absolan Joseph. We have not had any word from him and only a limited communication from others on the island near Cap Haitian.

We have started to initiate contacts with other partner ministries involved in the work in Haiti, as well as other NGO’s and relief organizations.

For up to date info go to www.efcacrisisresponse.blogspot.com

 

What can I do to help?   

Pray, especially for Absolan Joseph and the church plant in Port-au-Prince.

Please send funds!

 

What should people give to?

Touch Global:  Please visit www.touchglobal.org and click on the donation link. Give to Touch Global  ‘Earthquake Relief  21709-3970'

Feed My Starving Children: Please visit http://www.fmsc.org/Page.aspx?pid=398 to donate financially or volunteer with this organization.

 

What kinds of needs are there?

Donations will be the immediate and priority need.

We will also be interested in receiving bulk donations (eg. pallet loads) of gift-in-kind from most areas in

 the east and Midwest. Please contact crisisresponse@efca.org if bulk donations can be provided.

 

Where can I go for more info?  

www.efcacrisisresponse.blogspot.com  and crisisresponse@efca.org

 

Can we give stuff…not just money?

We are not accepting clothing or shoes.

See contacts below - we will update you with further needs should they arise.

 

Who should I contact for more info or to help in other ways?

Crisisresponse@efca.org   Crisis Response office at (985) 893-0218 ext 7

 

Beware of Scammers

Many more donations are needed before the crisis in Haiti is over, however, when tragedy strikes, scammers do to. Please carefully review all donation solicitations before participating. It is recommended to give to organizations that are familiar and to give directly to them, not through third parties.