Haiti Update from World Church

14 January 2010

As of 11 a.m. (Central Time) we have only been able to make very limited contact with our church leaders or members in Haiti. “We are using every means possible—phone, cell phone, email, HAM radio, person to person, etc— to make contact with our people, but so far these efforts have resulted in little success.” said President David Schaal.

The response of the church around the world has been amazing and immediate. Thank you for your donations to the Oblation Fund and for the prayers you have so fervently lifted up on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. We are trusting that many more people will yet respond, given the immensity of the need. We have nearly 25,000 members and 300 congregations in Haiti. Our best estimates are that 15 congregations and 7,500 people may be directly impacted by this disaster.

We also recognize there are numerous people who want to volunteer and help in a physical way. In the immediate future that kind of assistance is not practical due to lack of infrastructure and support for volunteers. At this time, teams of trained search and rescue professionals and trained relief workers are what is needed most.

As soon as possible the church will be sending a team of people that will assess the needs of our church members and friends. After the assessment is reviewed we will let the church know what specific skills and volunteers are needed, as well as how to volunteer.

Please continue to keep the Haitian people and those working to offer relief in your prayers. Donations to the Oblation Fund can be made at www.CofChrist.org/give/.