The situation in Haiti has captured all of our attention and we have received numerous calls at CC Costa Mesa and CCOF concerning what is being done and how Calvary’s can get involved. We thought it might be good to communicate what we have been able to determine up to this point and provide some suggestions as to what you might be able to do. We have established a working group in S. California of about 25 pastors and leaders experienced in disaster relief representing about 10 CC’s. We have also established an active communication with several pastors who have active works in Haiti as well as several disaster response groups who are actively involved in the relief efforts. Our recommendations are based on input from each of these groups.

 

The following are presented as ideas for your prayerful consideration. We do not attempt to come across as experts related to this as we clearly are not. The objective is to share what we have learned in the hope that it will help you to prepare and to communicate to your church body. The situation is continually changing and we will try to keep you updated on what we are learning and what is going on from our position.

 

 

ASSESSMENT

 

First of all, you all can see through the news reports just how devastated the country is. The major issues at the moment appear to include the following. Many of you may have received other input from independent sources, but we would encourage you to consider the following issues as you prayerfully consider your response plan.

 

1.      It appears that the military has closed down all major access routes to the country. There have been some groups that have tried to gain access from the Dominican Republic but have been turned back. The airport at Port-au-Prince appears to be closed to all non-military flights. The bottom line is that access is almost impossible to aid groups at the moment so traveling to the area does not appear to be a prudent approach.

 

2.      If you were able to gain entrance, there are several problems that would need to be navigated:

 

a.      The looting and rioting are increasing significantly and present a major risk to any aid workers.

 

b.      The risk of disease is a major concern due to the dead bodies, heat, lack of facilities and limited medical supplies and personnel.

 

c.      There are no resources available to aid workers so you need to be able to provide your own shelter, water, food, gas, diesel, equipment, etc.

 

d.      Ship access through the Port-au-Prince Harbor may be difficult as it appears that the harbor contains a lot of debris that would need to be cleared before a safe access could be gained

        

3.      CC Ft. Lauderdale appears to be strategically positioned for any relief effort. I have been speaking with them and have been told that Samaritan’s Purse has established its’ relief headquarters at the church. They have indicated that they do not expect to gain any major access to Haiti for another week or two. The focus currently is on collecting money and preparedness training so they are ready to respond quickly when the door opens for access.

 

4.      Samaritan’s Purse was actively providing Survival Kits to people in Haiti but had to discontinue these efforts due to the theft and violence. It has been reported that Franklin Graham has been able to get into Haiti so more may be forthcoming shortly if he is able to open some doors. In past efforts a high percentage of Samaritan’s Purse relief workers have come from CC’s so we believe we will be able to participate with them as soon as they gain access.      

 

5.      Samaritan’s Purse/CC Ft. Lauderdale’s plan appears to be to establish a base camp in the Port-au-Prince area from which relief efforts can be coordinated, relief teams housed and supplies maintained. This is a major challenge based on the above mentioned security issues.

 

6.      One of the major needs will be adoption. It is estimated that up to 50,000 children are now orphans. CC Ft. Lauderdale is actively gearing up their adoption ministry for this need as these children will likely be coming to South Florida.

 

7.      CC Costa Mesa and the S. California group have identified a site to the south of Port-au-Prince on the southern part of the island in the city of Jacmel. The Lord has opened up some strategic relationships with the mayor and city government as well as with an orphanage in the area run by relatives of a CC pastor. We have an open dialogue in place with these people and have been invited in with an assurance of a place to establish a base camp. This may allow us to establish a base camp in a somewhat safer area that would allow the ability to house relief teams, maintain supplies and equipment and coordinate relief efforts, while still being in a reasonable distance to Port-au-Prince. We see the potential to establish the same model that we used in Bay St. Louis during Katrina that worked so effectively. Usually everyone runs to the major city, in this case Port-au-Prince, but there may be more open doors in other areas, such as was the case with Bay St. Louis.   

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

1.      It appears that the best approach is to wait awhile before sending people or teams to Haiti. Over the next week or two we will see a lot of efforts implemented to maintain control and establish some infrastructure. Desperate starving people will do almost anything and it may likely place teams at significant risk if they are brought in before some additional stability is established. At this point sending teams may create more of a problem for the country rather than offering a solution. It may be better to wait until we establish a base camp of operations and some additional security before teams are sent.

 

2.      So what do we do in the meantime? Spend the current time before teams are ready to be sent in a period of preparation.

 

a.      Collect funds not supplies. There is no place yet established to house supplies. If this does open up we will notify you of what is needed and where to send it. The funds can be used to buy what is needed when the real needs are determined.

 

b.      Prepare teams. The immediate major need will likely be for medical personnel and debris removal. ER nurses, ER doctors and other emergency personnel such as paramedics will be the best resources. Also dentists.

 

c.      Teams will need to be trained on debris removal issues such as what to do when you encounter a dead body or body parts. This is similar in some ways to what we encountered in NY after 9/11. But the added risk of disease will be present.

 

3.      If people inquire about adoption, just take names at this point and we will try to communicate the next steps once a plan is in place. We are working with CC Ft. Lauderdale’s adoption ministry and House of Ruth from CC Downey to begin to prepare to meet this need.

 

4.      We have established a Haiti Relief Donation system through CCOF and CC Costa Mesa if people would like to give on-line and you do not yet have the ability to offer this. You can direct people to www.calvarfychapel.com or www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com.

 

5.      It is likely that several inoculations will be required for people traveling to Haiti. You may want to check with the Health Agency to determine what is recommended. Some of these may be a series of shots given over a period of a week or two so you may want to start that process now. Even if inoculations are not required, it may be prudent to get them. You can access the CDC site at www.cdc.gov

 

6.      Please do not contact the key control points in Florida and Costa Mesa as they are being inundated with calls and inquiries. Tim Wylie is leading the effort at CC Costa Mesa and is contact with key people in all of these areas. We will try to keep you updated as things develop. If you have questions or input, please contact me at rogerwing@calvarychapel.com or Tim at CC Costa Mesa at parakletoscccm@sbcglobal.net

 

7. Make sure that your passports are up to date.

 

 

 

Above all we need to pray. This nation has been hit harder than we can imagine and the death toll may be the greatest one day loss since Noah’s Flood. The Lord is speaking to us in these last days and we need to be ready to respond and share the Gospel. Let’s pray that the Lord does open the doors and that many will be saved eternally amidst those that have been lost over the last few days.

 

 

 

Roger Wing

Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowships