Haiti Bolosse Campus, Help is arriving

Saturday News Flash:   MidDay January 23 -  help is arriving at the Bolosse campus;

• The Christian Reformed World Relief Commission (CRWRC) is on campus preparing for a massive food distribution, meant also for the wider community.  They come with 15 armed UN Security guards.
• Samaritan’s  Purse is installing machinery this weekend to provide potable water, for the 5000 on campus and the surrounding community.

News from the Crisis Committee on the Ground in Port-au-Prince

The Focus is on 4 key relief issues:  food and water; health, security, temporary shelter:

1. Food and Water:  Today is the first step in providing food not only for the campus IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) but others.  Networking with skilled experienced groups is the key – like with Samaritan’s Purse, CRWRC, World Food Program and others.  The possibility of more distributions is uncertain; long-term solutions are being sought.
2. Health:  A Doctor and nurse are on campus and key supplies are being ferried from distribution points in the city; worst cases are being taken to area “hospitals”.
3. Security:  With an overcrowded situation like this, the committee is very concerned about  gang elements, violence from outside and appropriate liaison with the surrounding community.
4. Temporary Shelter:  One hundred tarps are being distributed today to people on campus and in the wider community. Major questions arise as to what the next stage should be.

How to Pray Today

• For the Crisis management team which faces issues of short and long term goals, containment of the crisis, debriefing/counseling needs, security decisions, personnel needed, few resources, and crisis protocol
• For peace in the community and understanding with inevitable inequities of distribution
• For the arrival of much needed fuel, needed for vehicles bringing in supplies
• For the right people to address the immense needs and the wisdom to know where and when.

Monday's Update: The north of Haiti

You can give to CrossWorld's Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. Just Click here and share with those in need.

Good News for Canadian Donors: The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will match any donation made by a Canadian individual - to the Haiti relief earthquake efforts. The Gift must be made to a registered Canadian charity like CrossWorld Canada, and given before Feb 12, 2010. Maximum gift per donor is $100,000.

To read news from prior days, click on News at the top of the page.