Haiti Crisis Update #12 from Jimmy Dodd
February 05, 2010 - 10:06:52 AM by Eric Rochester
The Big Picture
- The Government is reporting that the number of displaced people ranges from 800,000 to one million. Reports to that effect have been confirmed by ministries throughout the country as they prepare to minister to thousands of families seeking refuge in their villages.
- No matter how much food hits the shores of Haiti, distribution is the key to keep more people from dying. Without that, the volume of aid becomes an impressive but meaningless statistic.
- The United Nations continues to operate with little or no input from Haitian leadership. Haitian leaders are ready to serve. More than 1200 Haitian pastors who survived the earthquake and are ready to serve – but are not being asked. In short, the number one problem appears to be the ineffective use of the local indigenous church. Allowing Haitian pastors into the distribution process would result in an immediate dramatic uptick in results. The pastors are quick, trusted, and knowledgeable. They have the right mix of centralization and decentralization.
- We are moving out of Phase I of the earthquake aftermath. The vast majority of Haitians have either been treated or they are dead. Phase II (the next three to four months) will be to provide ongoing medical care and establishing temporary housing and stabilize effective food and water distribution – but, Phase II will also bring a public health crisis with problems such as cholera and dehydration. Phase III will begin to address long term issues such as infrastructure and rebuilding. No doubt, the ongoing health crisis will be at a critical level.
- Food and supplies are still bottle necked at the airport and port. On January 19th, President Clinton lamented the absence of any effective distribution system in Haiti. Since then a voucher system has been implemented allowing women to receive food and water. Yet, many Haitians continue to go without.
- Security is commonly cited as the reason for the distribution bottleneck. There are not enough UN security forces to provide adequate support. Yet, from all NGOs in Haiti I have heard one resounding theme – Security is not an issue.
- The World Health Organization has effectively distributed medical supplies. Yet, food and water are not being distributed. The message is wildly inconsistent.
- Electricity remains unstable which has hindered earthquake relief assistance. Fortunately, the fuel crisis is now passed. Fuel tankers are everywhere in Port-au-Prince.
- In short, the perfect is in the way of the good. Right now, 50% right is better than nothing. There are ways around the airport and port crisis. Supplies can be delivered to the Dominican Republic and trucked into Haiti. These alternatives are being used by almost no one (save the Global Orphan Project)
Reflections
I am currently in Washington DC to participate in the National Prayer Breakfast, and to lobby for Haiti support. Today I met with Congressman Todd Tiahrt (KS). Tomorrow I will have the privilege of meeting with Senator Sam Brownback (KS) and Senator Jim DeMint (SC). Each of these men are committed to the Lord Jesus.
I have prepared extensive reports on Haiti for each man and his staff. I will be asking for action on several issues, including the following:
- 1. Stop random distribution of aid as this fuels a lawless mentality. Instead, immediately release supplies to faith based NGOs who are working with the local indigenous Haitian leadership.
- 2. Immediately begin communication with Haitian church leadership led by Chavannes Jeune and Louis St. Germain. They have formed a group comprised of 20 Christian organizations to maximize the efforts of providing immediate assistance in the form of shelter, food, water, medicine, etc. This coalition has been named COCAVITH: Coalition des Organizations Chretiennes pour L’Assistance aux Victimes du Tremblement de Terre en Haiti (Coalition of Christian Organizations for the Assistance of the Victim of the Earthquake in Haiti)
- 3. Convene a gathering in Haiti (or Miami) of Faith Based NGO leaders and Secretary of State Clinton and Bill Clinton for the expressed purpose of expanding and encouraging cooperation between NGOs, the United States Government and the United Nations.
- 4. We would recommend that you encourage capitalist, not socialist solutions. Provide tax incentives for US companies building in Haiti and doing business in Haiti. Haiti is attractive as a business partner because of proximity, cheap labor and the availability of real estate. Create a Haiti trade free zone. Make it easier for Americans to own property in Haiti.
Reports:
While there are literally thousands of reports coming out of Haiti, I have included reports from three ministries I personally trust 100%. I would encourage you to financially support these ministries (others are listed at the conclusion of this update). Each ministry presently has field staff in Haiti leading relief assessment teams and delivering life sustaining supplies. Please read these updates to learn about how the Lord is working!
If you are interested in the US government daily repirt (very interesting reading) see www.reliefweb.int for the most up-to-date situation reports on the disaster that I’ve seen. You’ll have to go into the Haiti earthquake page and then access the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report. Updated every day.
El Shaddai Ministries
A letter from the leader of El Shaddai helped me to keep things in perspective over the weekend. I was preparing a message for Redeemer Fellowship in Kansas City, I was preparing to host a number of friends for my wife’s birthday party and I was anticipating a basketball game between Kansas and Kansas State. What was I thinking about – I hope the message goes well at redeemer, I hope the party goes well tonight and I hope Kansas wins the basketball game.
As I am thinking about these matters, the following e-mail comes across my computer, and suddenly my perspective changed:
Dear Brother Jimmy,
Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord Jesus!
Indeed, as the days passing by, the situation become more and more fragile and the life of our spiritual leaders is in danger. We need the food ASAP for them. They are starving. This tragedy is unique. We never face some thing like this before.
We have 400 pastors waiting for food. In some areas, water is non existent.
We hope to get a great answer from you and to see the power of the Gospel continue to spread. We need to keep our spiritual leaders in good health in order to maintain the truth of the Gospel in the midst of the chaos. May our Lord continue to bless you and guide you and your entire family.
Love and peace.
Your Brother Louis St. Germain
Suddenly, my worries were embarrassingly small. Perspective. So vital as we continue to serve the people of Haiti.
Cross International
- Partnering with the Global Orphan Project, Cross purchased four trucks of food, arriving shortly from the Dominican Republic..
- Cross arranged for two C737 cargo planes to fly into Port-au-Prince airport yesterday to deliver a total of 50,000 lbs. of goods: nutritional-blend food, water, Gatorade, hospital supplies, tarps, and diapers. These will be received through Christian Revival Center, a new partner which has a warehouse near the airport.
- Working in partnership with another organization, Cross International was able to secure enough food to feed 3,000 families in Port-au-Prince and/or Leogane. Cross is working with partners in those locations to receive and distribute the food.
The Global Orphan Project
From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:
This is a big day. Here’s what’s happening so far (and it’s not even 10 am):
- A truck of supplies arrived at 6:30 – unloaded.
- We’re readying for the arrival of 47 children and caretakers today.
- Several others will likely come from other places.
We received a report of 2 orphanages in PAP that crumbled in the Jan 12 quake. 591 children. 28 confirmed dead. 64 unaccounted for (likely under the rubble). The rest are living under hung sheets – no help since the quakes. We’re on the way to these sites now with emergency food and to assess.
The influx of people into Gonaives is creating big problems. Increasing death from infections. Scads of kids (many of whom were orphaned pre-quake and are really in bad shape). We have govt request and approval to bring 240 into care immediately. We pulled the trigger on that this morning. 80 children in each of 3 locations in Gonaives.
NOTE: We need VILLAGE and HOME sponsors for these 3 locations!
So, our efforts in our post quake emphasis on orphaned and abandoned children:
- Transition Village – more than 250 children in; staff of 35 (all Haitian) busting their butts; rapidly approaching 300 plus.
- Gonaives – 240 children coming in effective immediately.
- PAP – 500 new children being assessed – disposition unknown.
Other than that, not much going on.
Last night, Calix broke down crying tears of joy before he and his children went to bed. For the first time since everything changed, they were going to bed in a home and knew they would wake with food waiting.
We sat out listening to kids singing – the most mesmerizing sound of joy. Tonight, the sound will be at least 47 louder.
GO Family, we’re just starting. We could not do this without your generous and sustained partnership.
Merci!
Joe
Mission Trip Information
If you have any interest in traveling to Haiti, now is the time to get your Passport and Shots (Tetanus, Hep A and Hep B series).
For mission trips to Haiti with the Global Orphan Project – click here
For mission trips to Haiti with El Shaddai Ministries, contact esmieletter@aol.com
Contact Marybeth Jackson at One 5 Foundation for information about their medical trips.
Giving Information
HR 4462 law allows an immediate deduction on your 2009 tax return for certain earthquake related charitable contributions.
If you make a 2010 donation to a domestic charity specifically for the relief of victims in the areas affected by the January 12 Haitian earthquake, you may be able to deduct the amount on your 2009 tax return. Here are some requirements:
- The donation must be made after January 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010.
- The donation must be supported by the general documentation rules – generally a cancelled check, credit card receipt, or telephone bill supporting a text message contribution, and if the donation is either actual cash or $250 or more, you must also have a receipt from the organization.
- The donation can be deducted in either 2009 or 2010 (but not both years).
- You must itemize deductions to be able to deduct charitable contributions.
Highly Recommended Relief Agencies:
Many have asked me to recommend additional ministries working in Haiti. While there is no way I could provide an exhaustive list of ministries doing great work in Haiti, in addition to the five agencies listed above, I can personally recommend the following ministries:
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Finally, I am aware that many Catholics prefer to give only to Catholic relief agencies. I recommend:
Cross International Catholic Outreach
Jimmy Dodd
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