Haiti (MNN) — A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near the Haitian Capital of Port-au-Prince Tuesday. Key parts of the city collapsed. The death toll continues rising.
Worse yet, there is little communication from the ruin. Kathy Redmond with Compassion International says they’ve heard nothing from their 50-member team, and there is no word about the 64,000 kids they help.
The silence is ominous. Struggling to overcome her emotion, Redmond explains, “These are Americans, work colleagues from my team, as well as some of the nationals that we work very closely with.”
Compassion has 230 child development centers in Haiti. Not knowing anything or how to respond is the hardest part of this crisis. Compassion dispatched a relief team that will try to re-establish communications. They’ll also help with emergency relief distribution.
The team, led by Doug Bassett, director of Central American countries for Compassion, will coordinate Compassion’s supply of clean water, food, medical care, supplies and adequate housing to aid those who have been affected by the quake. In addition, Compassion has immediately released $20,000 to assist teams on the ground in areas affected by the quake.
(Photo courtesy Compassion International)
Not only are they living Christ, but they’re also leaning on Christ. Redmond says going from the organization who always provides help to being one who might need help is a new thing.
She explains, “We deal with disasters, but to be without any communication–for us to have to send people down there in order to try to assess anything because we can’t get any communication–has really shown us how vulnerable we can be.”
Compassion is urging prayer for its Haitian relief efforts. Contributions are also needed.
$35 helps one family receive emergency supplies of food and clean water for about one week. $1,500 can help rebuild a home in Haiti. Text “disaster” to 90999 to give $10. More details are available here.
Header image courtesy Compassion International.
