Wednesday, February 17, 2010

House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson outlines Haiti's needs in Feb. 28 bulletin insert


From Episcopal Life Online-

The Episcopal Church has responded to the devastation caused by the magnitude-7 earthquake in Haiti with unexpected and astonishing generosity.

Building upon a partnership that began before the Jan. 12 earthquake, Episcopal Relief & Development has experienced a generosity of giving from Episcopalians that has enabled its relief effort to secure food, water, vehicles for supply deliveries, fuel and shelter.

Many congregations in the Episcopal Church have forged important and mutually supportive relationships with congregations and individuals in Haiti over the years. It is natural for these congregations in the Episcopal Church to want to do everything possible to assist their brothers and sisters in Haiti. However, Haiti Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin asked in a Jan. 21 letter that, unless the people who want to come and help are "certified professionals in relief and recovery, they must wait."

In his letter to Robert Radtke, Episcopal Relief & Development president, Duracin added: "We will need them [people who want to come to Haiti] in months and years to come, but at this point, it is too dangerous and too much of a burden for our people to have mission teams here."

Duracin has appointed a 15-member commission that is assisting him in coordination and organization of the diocese's rebuilding effort as well as its response to current needs.

In addition to continued generous giving to Episcopal Relief & Development, we need to be advocates for Haiti. It is important to understand that, just as the relief and rebuilding effort will unfold in stages over the coming months and years, so will the advocacy effort, and that is where Episcopalians can assist best, right from home.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_119473_ENG_HTM.htm

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