Rebuilding the Lives of the 5000
Haitian Earthquake Relief Plan, 2010
Northeast Church of Christ
Focus of the Plan: It is the primary focus of the Northeast Church of Christ to work through the Delmas 43 Eglise du Christ in Port au Prince, and her minister Jean Robert St. Hilaire, to begin rebuilding the lives of some 5000 Christians associated with the Delmas 43 church within Port au Prince and other affected areas including (but not limited to) Jacmel, Carrefour, Grand Goave, Croix Des Bouquets and Leogane.
The rebuilding of the lives of the Christians affected by the earthquake involves short term and long term goals.
Short Term Goals:
To provide food, water, tent-shelter, and basic medical assistance to 5000 Christians.
Long Term Goals:
To provide repair of church buildings and reestablishment of normal church activities including the reopening of the school of preaching, evangelistic efforts, and the spiritual growth of individual Christians.
Strategy for Accomplishing the Short Term Goals:
Due to the fact that distribution of food is made difficult because of looting and other security issues at the main distribution centers, and since basic food stuff can be purchased in Haiti, thus avoiding the logistic problems of shipping food, it seems like the best solution for now is to purchase food in Haiti for distribution. The initial distribution site and feeding center will be the Delmas 43 building that was damaged but is structurally sound. The 2000 members who attend this church can be served from here. Additional sites can be set up in other areas to assist the other 3000 members of the church.
A secure means of transferring funds is in place through an account maintained by the Northeast Church of Christ.
Prices are normally high in Haiti but are now inflated due to the rate of exchange and the scarcity of supplies. As of this writing (1/19/10) typical prices in US dollars are:
100 lbs rice=$125.00
100 lbs beans=$125.00
100 gal oil=$135.00
100 lbs flour=$100.00
100 lbs sugar=$135.00
1 gal gas=$13.35
Temporary shelter will be provided with tarps.
Rudimentary medical supplies such as antibiotics will be supplied.
The Northeast church is also working with The Disaster Relief Team based in W. Melbourne, FL. DRT has means to provide medical personnel and shipping of some goods. As we assess what is needed this is another means we have to provide assistance to the 5000.
We are also hoping when things settle down a little to complete the purchase of a mission house that was not damaged in the quake. The house will provide safe accommodations for those who are sent to serve. Funds have already been set aside for this purpose and funds raised for relief efforts will not be used for the purchase of this house.
How can anyone estimate how long we will need to supply these basic needs? As other aid becomes more accessible to all Haitians, including the 5000 members of the churches of Christ we are committed to helping, perhaps our focus can shift. But for at least several weeks we can expect the needs we have outlined to be great.
Therefore, the most efficient help you can provide that will benefit the 5000 we are targeting is best provided in cash assistance. This money will be spent to provide food, medical assistance, and temporary shelter.
Contact Information:
Northeast Church of Christ
2217 Beechnut Dr.
Kingsport, Tn. 37660
Elders:
Darrell Riley, 423-677-5920
Same Ross, 423-677-2122
Other Contact:
Rod Myers, 941-374-1818 disciplesforhaiti@comcast.net
Central Church of Christ, 6221 Proctor Rd., Sarasota, FL. 34241
(Rod has worked in Haiti for over 23 years with Jean Robert)
...