Haiti Earthquake Relief
The Situation:
The most powerful earthquake to strike Haiti in more than two hundred years devastated that country on Jan. 12, 2010. Nearly 250,000 people were killed, 300,000 injured and more than a million people left homeless. When the quake hit, your gifts to ELCA Disaster Response enabled the ELCA's companion church in Haiti and partners to act quickly and effectively. As the response moved from short-term relief to long-term development your gifts allowed the ELCA to continue its strong presence and support of the church in Haiti. The response has done more than bring food, water and housing to those in need. It has helped to bring hope, alleviate fear and create space for our brothers and sisters in Haiti to realize their strength as they build into their future. In the words of Pastor Livenson, president of the Evangelical Lutheran church in Haiti , "[We] will not be defined by the rubble, but by restoration, for we are a people of the resurrection."
ELCA Response:
Through our companion church in Haiti and partners, with the support of generous and compassionate Lutherans like you, the ELCA was able to respond quickly to help the people of Haiti in their time of need—and we will be there for as long as we're needed. This is a snapshot of how your generous gifts have been at work. View images and videos from Haiti and the work being done there.
In addition to the programs to meet humanitarian needs and engage in community development, the response has also included the act of rememberance. On the anniversary of the earthquake we take pause to remember our brothers and sisters in Haiti. To remind them and ourselves that they are not forgotten. The ELCA has produced resources to help highlight these anniversaries and to give an update on the good work being done.
One-Year Anniversary
Two-Year Anniversary
- ELCA Disaster Reponse Blog Posts
Continuing Response
Rebuilding Lives
The ELCA with the Lutheran World Federation is supporting the Gressier Model Resettlement Village to build 200 homes, create community space for psychological healing and community building, access to clean water and green water management.
Increasing People's Capacity
The ELCA is contributing to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Haiti's (ELH) Vocational Training Center to promote quality standards in construction to reduce the risk of future disasters.
Rebuilding Livelihoods
The ELCA is helping to build up ELH projects around raising poultry, dairy and a micro-credit program for women.
Addressing Public Health
The ELCA with ELH is creating a community safety net around cholera to sensitize over 12,000 families on health risks and prevention methods.
What can you do?
Pray:
Please hold the people of Haiti in your prayers.
Suggested prayer petitions from ELCA Worship. Include these prayers in your personal devotions and in your congregational prayers.
Study and Share:
Give:
Gifts to ELCA International Disaster Response help us to provide immediate and effective support to communities that are in need. Please consider giving to support the needs of this response and others like it. Information on giving is provided in the box on the right “How You Can Help.” 100 percent of your gift will be used in full to bring life-sustaining support to this crisis. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
People like you have given more than $12.5 million to ELCA Disaster Response to help the people of Haiti. Thank you!
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