FGBC/Convoy of Hope Update on Haiti
Posted by Terry White on January 17, 2010
Current update on FGBC and Haiti relief, sent by Dan O’Deens, as of Sunday afternoon, January 17:
A new Haiti earthquake response video is now online and is viewable and downloadable at http://www.convoyofhope.org/go/videos.
Current facts and statistics: Some power, communication, and water systems are still down, but open lines remain unreliable. According to the Haitian Prime Minister, 100,000 casualties of the earthquake are expected. The Haitian President is projecting a more conservative number of 30,000 to 50,000. Three million people have been left homeless. Eighty percent of structures have collapsed. As of 7 a.m. Friday, the Port-au-Prince airport is fully operational. The ports remain closed due to collapsed cranes and debris. Armed looters are scavenging the city.
Current Response Status: Three teams are on the ground in Haiti. First airdrop of food, water, and supplies was on Saturday, January 16. Trucks loaded with supply containers are enroute today to Haiti via the Dominican Republic. Five clinics are being set up in different districts of Port-au-Prince. The POD’s (points of distribution) will distribute food, water, purification devices and 24-hour medical care.
The following is the first of reports that will be sent from Convoy of Hope Haiti field reporter Kirk Noonan:
Because of safety and logistical challenges, Kevin Rose, country director to Haiti for Convoy of Hope, has spent considerable time assessing Port-au-Prince looking for places in the city where Convoy of Hope can set up long-term distribution points and medical clinics.
“There’s a balance we’re looking for,” says Mike Clark, a member of Convoy’s relief team in Haiti, “because the situation here is so chaotic we look for places that are both safe for our workers but also easily accessible to the people. The goal is to find points where we can serve people for a few weeks and even months.”
Adds Clark, “That should calm people down who are desperate for food, water, and medical aid.” Today Convoy of Hope will have a distribution site and clinic up and running in the middle of the city in one of the worst hit areas. “We are excited to have one of the first teams here on the ground,” says Rose, “and we are hopeful for the coming days, but much more help, food, water, and medical supplies are needed.”
Current Greatest Needs:
- Prayer
- Your generous donation of money
- Preparation to organize for both short and long-term deployment once that opportunity avails itself.
Plan of Action: Secure container with supplies for airdrop – DONE!
- Pray: Search & Recovery; families; hope, medical, food & water, safety
- Challenge churches to give – purchase a container for $10,000
- Plan to mobilize “Go Teams” for long-term rebuilding
- For our FGBC leadership as they work together to come alongside our FGBC churches to organize and unleash God’s love on Haiti.
Filed Under: Uncategorized
How can one find out more information about the teams that will be sent to help?
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for asking. There is a team that is working on this. There will be plenty of need for God’s volunteer army to shower God’s love on the people of Haiti. As soon as that plan is established we will make sure to get the word out. Right now continue to PRAY and GIVE and prepare to GO!