The devastation in Haiti cries out for responses from us all.
We need to find ways to offer our financial support urgently and through organisations we know to be reliable and trustworthy. Oxfam, World Vision, Red Cross, Unicef, Christian World Service, Caritas, Save the Children, and Tear Fund are some that I’ve noticed being reported as active there and I think are trustworthy places to make donations.
Prayers are being offered also. And people may be looking for resources to incorporate into Sunday’s services:
several resources
a prayer in English and Spanish (PDF)
Haiti has a population of 10 million. It is the poorest country in the Americas, ranking 146 out of 177 countries on the UNDP Human Development Index. More than half the population lives on less than $US 1 a day. Former RC priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide brought some hope as the first freely elected leader in 1990 but he was ousted by a military coup in 1991, reinstated, but exiled in 2004. French-speaking 1% of the population owns half the country’s wealth.
More information: BBC; CIA; Wikipedia
Any further comments, prayer resources, appropriate organisations to donate through appreciated in the comments.
You can also donate via Episcopal Relief & Development
http://www.er-d.org/HaitiCrisis
Doctors Without Borders is sending an inflatable hospital to Haiti; they need donations for their relief efforts as well.
http://doctorswithoutborders.org/
Thanks!
I was going to mention ERD as well, but Sue got here first. ERD is endowed and shares staff with TEC national office, so it has low administrative needs from your contributions. 92¢ of every US$1 goes directly to aid.
The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is the largest diocese in the Episcopal Church. The bishop and his wife have survived. The Cathedral and the diocesan complex are rubble as is the local convent for Episcopal nuns. There were already many Episcopalians in country working on various projects prior to the quake. Many TEC dioceses have companion programs with Dio Haiti as well as various congregations, orphanages and schools.
Since it is difficult to get to Port-au-Prince currently because the ports are damaged and the air port has no fuel for fueling airplanes for return flights, ERD is at this moment funneling the first waves of assistance through the Diocese of the Dominican Republic and entering over land from across the border.
Here is a hymn written yesterday.
In Haiti, There is Anguish
ST. CHRISTOPHER 7.6.8.6.8.6.8.6 (“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”)
In Haiti, there is anguish that seems too much to bear;
A land so used to sorrow now knows even more despair.
From city streets, the cries of grief rise up to hills above;
In all the sorrow, pain and death, where are you, God of love?
A woman sifts through rubble, a man has lost his home,
A hungry, orphaned toddler sobs, for she is now alone.
Where are you, Lord, when thousands die—the rich, the poorest poor?
Were you the very first to cry for all that is no more?
O God, you love your children; you hear each lifted prayer!
May all who suffer in that land know you are present there.
In moments of compassion shown, in simple acts of grace,
May those in pain find healing balm, and know your love’s embrace.
Where are you in the anguish? Lord, may we hear anew
That anywhere your world cries out, you’re there– and suffering, too.
And may we see, in others’ pain, the cross we’re called to bear;
Send out your church in Jesus’ name to pray, to serve, to share.
Tune: Frederick Charles Maker, 1881
Text: Copyright © 2010 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Permission is given for use by those who support Church World Service
A video response to Pat Robertson’s comments from a more biblical point of view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOPvc0HvsAY
The Disasters Emergency Committee in the UK brings together a range of agencies http://www.dec.org.uk/ and acts as an umbrella for fundraising.
And Peter Moger from the CHurch of England has written the following prayer:
Prayer for Haiti
O God, our refuge and strength,
we hold before you the nation and people of Haiti,
and pray for healing in the midst of tragedy and devastation.
Give comfort to the homeless, the bereaved and the suffering,
courage to survivors,
wisdom to those who seek to help,
and light to all who live in the shadow of death.
This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ,
our rock and our salvation. Amen.
I found this resource at the Lead –
A Litany for Haiti:
William (Chip) Stokes wrote the following Litany and posted it on his blog “Chipblog.” This is what he wrote:
I originally developed the following Litany and Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church in response to Hurricane Katrina. I have adapted it for use in the wake of the earthquake in Haiti. Please feel free to use them if you desire.
Litany in Response to a Natural Disaster
Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy upon us.
Holy and Mighty, redeemer of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy upon us.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, One God,
Have mercy upon us.
Remember not, Lord Christ our offenses, neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom you have redeemed by your cross and passion, and by your mercy preserve us forever.
Spare us, good Lord.
From all natural disasters, from hurricanes, fires, tornados earthquakes, blizzards and floods,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all disease and sickness, from famine and violence,
Good Lord, deliver us.
In all times of sorrow, in all times of joy; in the hour of death and at the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
Hear our prayers, O Christ our God,
O Christ, hear us.
For the repose of the souls of those who have died in this disaster that your holy angels may welcome them into Paradise.
O Christ, hear us.
Console all who grieve: those whose loved ones have died, whose families are torn; whose homes have been destroyed, whose possessions have been ruined, who are now unemployed.
O Christ, hear us.
Heal those who suffer from injury and illness, emotional and spiritual distress. Give them hope and encouragement to meet the days ahead.
O Christ, hear us.
Give food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty.
O Christ, hear us.
Give rest to weary and peace to the restless.
O Christ, hear us.
Give strength to the government of Haiti, to the World Community and all others in authority and leadership; grant them wisdom and power to act in accordance with your will.
O Christ, hear us.
Bless the bishops, clergy and people of the Haiti who strive to do your service in the midst of their own grief and pain. Give them fortitude to serve as you would serve.
O Christ, hear us.
Grant your people grace to witness to your word, to open their hearts in love, and to give generously from their abundance, that they may bring forth the fruits of your Spirit.
O Christ, hear us.
Forgive us Lord, for all negligence and hardheartedness, for inequities and injustice that have resulted in bitterness and strife, in injury and death.
O Christ, hear us.
In the midst of incomprehensible loss, grant us eyes that see, ears that hear and hands that work so that we may discern how you would have us respond.
O Christ, hear us.
We give you thanks, Lord God for all agencies and individuals who assist in relief efforts; continue in them the good work you have begun, through them your presence is made known.
We thank you O, Lord.
V. You are our refuge and strength
R. Our very present help in trouble
V. In you Lord is our Hope
R. And we shall never hope in vain.
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever. Amen
Here is another really good litany for Haiti, http://monasticmumblings.typepad.com/monastic_mumblings_a_fria/2010/01/litany-for-haiti.html
Another way to donate is through CODEP which has workers already on the ground in Port-au-Prince. Haiti Fund, Inc., is the parent organization for the COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (CODEP). Haiti Fund Inc. was formed as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of North Carolina on November 29th, 1990. You can go to their website, http://www.haitifundinc.org and donate.