21 January 2010
‘In spite of 200 years of poverty and ineffective government in Haiti, we believe now is the time for the church to give as Christ has given – without reproach.
‘Right now in Haiti, the church itself – individual churches and the body of Christ as a whole – is God’s instrument for change.’
These words are from Tearfund partner World Relief which is working in Haiti today as it has done over the last 15 years - helping the people of this impoverished Caribbean nation claw themselves out of poverty.
But today the conditions they face are the worst yet. The television pictures inadequately tell the story of a country left badly broken by an earthquake, with its people desperate for food, water, medical treatment and shelter.
Through partners, such as World Relief, Tearfund is responding. We’ve also sent a team of disaster response experts who are on the ground.
Broken bones
World Relief runs one of the few hospitals still operating in the capital Port-au-Prince and it’s treating hundreds of people each day, mainly for broken bones caused by falling masonry.
Dr Hubert Morquette, World Relief’s country director for Haiti, said, ‘Please continue to keep us in your prayers as our patients experience both physical and psychological trauma.
‘My fellow countrymen and women now live on the streets or in their respective yards, me included, as we all fear that subsequent aftershocks may destroy our homes. We pray that this fear quickly dissipates.’
World Relief Haiti has 38 staff responding to the disaster. As well as medical help, they are also trying to feed people and give them emergency packs that typically have ready-to-eat food, water and blankets.
Through the support of people like you and churches across the UK, Tearfund’s been able to dispatch money as well as manpower to Haiti but the physical, emotional and spiritual needs remain massive.
Please give to our appeal here.
• Please pray for Haitians who continue to suffer after the earthquake and that help gets to them soon, particularly the injured.
• Pray for the response to the earthquake and for those directing it. Pray for good coordination and that people make the right decisions in testing conditions.
• Pray for Tearfund staff and partners as they deal with their own losses and work to help others.
• Pray for the church in Haiti to be able to give a response of love, care and hope to the population.