I realize I just started a series of posts on critical issues and church planters. However, just moments before I had planned on posting critical issue number 4, I received this information from Jeff Palmer, Executive Director of Baptist Global Response, addressing the present realities in Haiti.
This update is current as of this past Saturday, February 13. Because of the urgent nature of the situation in Haiti, I am interrupting the series to bring you this special report.
Baptist Global Response is a global Southern Baptist relief and development organization. For those of you not familiar with Baptist Global Response. Let me encourage you to check out their web site HERE.
From the Relief Network/US AID/UN Reports
1. The Government of Haiti has now given an official death toll of approximately 200,000 dead.
2. There are an estimated 700,000 displaced persons from the Port-au-Prince area with almost 500,000 having left Port-au-Prince for surrounding areas and still an estimated 3 million people affected/needing assistance.
3. Minimal damage has been done to water sources and systems. Most displaced persons from Port-au-Prince are living with extended families. To date, 1.1 million people are being fed through coordinated efforts. Over 400,000 people are still receiving water delivery. Mountainous areas (surrounding the population center of P-a-P) are still hard to gain access to and need assistance.
4. Total assistance from all sectors is estimated to be around $522 Million US dollars. Some reports say that less than $1 in every $100 is getting to direct aid to Haitians.
5. Southern Baptists have raised over 4 million to date:
a. Florida Baptists – 1.4 million
b. North American Mission Board– 400 K
c. International Mission Board– 1.2 million
d. Baptist Global Response– 1.1 million
From Our Baptist Global Response On-Ground Personnel (David Brown)
1. There have been about 15 Southern Baptist volunteer teams on ground already and more are coming in. The majority have been medical teams through the DR network (8 to 10) and we still have been running a number of logistics teams trying to work out needs for handling and facilitating large numbers of volunteers, moving resources to needy/overlooked areas, etc.
2. We are working closely and have great relationships with Haitian Baptists, North American Mission Board and Florida Baptists. We are working on better communications with the Americas Affinity Group point persons as well.
3. David is in the process of completing an overall comprehensive Haiti Relief strategy from BGR’s perspective. This will include facilitation/cooperation with all parties (NAMB, Florida, Haitian Baptists, Americas Affinity Group, etc.) and be a more comprehensive Southern Baptist plus International Mission Board strategy for response.
I wish to thank Jeff, David and those with Baptist Global Response for sharing this information with us. Please join me in praying for Jeff Palmer, David Brown, and the others connected to the ministry of Baptist Global Response as they serve the people of Haiti during these tragic days.
