CBF Responds to Haiti - Update

The following is a report from Charles Ray, CBF Disaster Response Coordinator, as of Friday, January 15th.

I must preface this report by saying that the situation in Haiti is changing so rapidly that some of this will be different by the time you read it.

Reid Doster and I have taken over the lead in all Haitian response. CBF International Disaster Response Coordinator David Harding will continue to work in Indonesia and we will coordinate Haiti.

We are in constant communication with the following partners:

• American Baptist Churches-USA
• Lott Carey
• American Baptist Association
• TX Baptist Men
• NC Baptist Men
• VA Baptist Men
• Canadian Baptist Ministries
• Volunteers of American
• National Baptist Churches-USA
• Convoy for Hope, among others.

In each case, we coordinate our efforts using each others strengths and assets. We will let you know when we can begin processing Responders into the country once clearance is received and we feel they will be safe.

On Thursday, January 14th, our CBF field personnel (missionaries) Steve and Nancy James returned to Haiti. Steve is a medical doctor and is linking with others to begin recovery efforts. We have heard from Steve that they reached their home and it is intact.

The area is UNSAFE and will remain so until the city is secured by US Marines who are on the ground. Search and rescue is going on and will do so for several more days. At this time most supplies and personnel are landing in the Dominican Republic and going over land. However, this is hampered by the DR closing the border from 8:00 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The port at Port au Prince (PaP) is closed indefinitely and the airport is being used for supplies only at this time. We are still attempting to reach a number of our partners who live in the area.

We expect to obtain two experienced response leaders to become our presence in PaP. They will begin coordinating our efforts with partners and the government. Only then will we start making arrangements for staging for responders from the US and the distribution of necessary goods.

What is needed now is money. All contributions should be sent to Haitian Relief, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, 2930 Flowers Road South, #133, Atlanta, GA 30341. Account # 17015.

Medical supplies are need now. If you have any, or knowledge of some, please call Reid. Later, we will begin long term recovery efforts and general rebuilding. Look to www.thefellowship.info for updates. Click here to find out more about how you can help.

We seek your prayers and ideas. May God guide our steps.

Charles Ray	Reid Doster
501-680-2722	985-778-6049
cray@cbfar.org	reid_doster@hotmail.com

 

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