The Earthquake
 On Tuesday, January 12, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake shook Haiti. It was centered about ten miles west of capital city Port-au-Prince. Haiti experienced dozens of significant aftershocks immediately following and aftershocks continue to stress Haiti's remaining infrastructure.
From Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
 The people of Haiti have suffered a devastating earthquake, and it is already clear that many have died and many more are injured. Even under “normal” circumstances, Haiti struggles to care for her 9 million people. The nation is the poorest in the western hemisphere, and this latest disaster will set back many recent efforts at development. I urge your prayers for those who have died, been injured, and are searching for loved ones – and I urge your concrete and immediate prayers in the form of contributions to Episcopal Relief & Development, who are already working with the Diocese of Haiti to send aid where it is most needed.
Main News Resources
Help with Donations to Episcopal Relief and Development
 To assist those suffering in the wake of this disaster, please consider making a donation to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Haiti fund at www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Please write “Haiti” in the memo of all checks.
Episcopal Relief & Development has disbursed emergency funding for its program partner, the Diocese of Haiti, to help meet immediate needs such as food, water and shelter. The agency is standing ready to support the Diocese with post-earthquake recovery and rebuilding efforts. Episcopal Relief & Development is also partnering with the neighboring Diocese of the Dominican Republic to help care for the influx of Haitian refugees and coordinate relief efforts that can be administered from the border areas. In addition, the agency has partnered with IMA World Health, a non-profit organization providing medical assistance and supplies in and around Port-au-Prince.
Episcopal Relief & Development uses your financial gifts in the most effective ways possible to serve and support people suffering worldwide. More information
Diocese of Haiti's Bishop Duracin wrote 1/23/10:
I am writing to you from the tent city we have set up behind the rubble of College Ste. Pierre, our marvelous senior secondary school that is no more. As you know, we have gathered approximately 3,000 people here alone. Across the land, the Diocese of Haiti has set up at least 21 refugee camps, caring for more than 23,000 people. In this letter, I wish to make clear to the Diocese of Haiti, to Episcopal Relief and Development and to all of our partners that Episcopal Relief and Development is the official agency of the Diocese of Haiti and that we are partners working hand-in-hand in Haiti’s relief and recovery efforts. I am asking that all of our partners in the Presbyterian Church USA work directly with ERD, with Rev. Lauren Stanley as the central communications person. PCUSA has worked with us for many years, and we are deeply grateful for their compassion and their commitment to the people of Haiti.
The Diocese of Haiti
Many of us know Haiti as the largest and fastest growing Episcopal Diocese in our church, in Province II, with over 83,000 members served by 37 clergy (according to 2008 parochial reports). There were 97 Episcopal churches, and over 200 Episcopal schools with more than 6000 students. The cathedral and complex, convent of the Sisters of St. Margaret, most of the university are in ruins. Haiti's Bishop Duracin and his staff, clergy, and the sisters are working in a tent city on a soccer field of the destroyed school. Reports are slowly coming in about the status of parishes and their people. In Port au Prince and Leogane, all structures of the Episcopal Church have been completely destroyed. "God has saved the lives of the Bishop, the 32 active priests, 9 retired priests, the 6 deacons, the 17 seminarians, 3 nuns and the 4 missionaries and their families. All private houses have been damaged to some degree, but all churches, schools, rectories clinics, and hospitals from Croix des Bouquets to Miragoane are not permitted to be used."-1/25, Pere Kesner Ajax, Coordinator of the Partnership Program and Director of the Bishop Tharp Institute in Les Cayes
The Response from the Diocese of Missouri
Sunday, Feb. 14, 5:30 p.m., Kanaval Celebration of Haiti
Trinity Episcopal Church, 124 North Mulanix St. in Kirksville, is having a Haitian Kanaval Dinner to raise money for the earthquake victims in Haiti and to mark the beginning of Lent. “Haitians celebrate three fat days, trois joursgras, or Kanaval, and so will we,” said Scott Alberts, Trinity choir director and the dinner’s organizer. “They go from Mass until Wednesday morning nonstop, so our custom of a Sunday party is perfect. We don’t just want to help Haiti, we want to celebrate Haiti.” Funds raised will be donated to ER&D.
http://www.diocesemo.org/news/2010/02/08/haiti-karnaval-trinity-kirksville/
Sunday, Feb. 28, 4:00 p.m. Hymn-Sing for Haiti
Add your voice and your prayers at this singing of hymns from the 1982 Hymnal, LEVAS II, and other denomination traditions. Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust, St. Louis. Free will offering collected to support Episcopal Relief and Development.
http://www.diocesemo.org/news/2010/02/10/hymn-sing-cathedral-haiti/
Sunday, March 7, 2 - 5 p.m. Fundraiser concert at Emmanuel, details to follow
Performers include Doc Rock It, House of Bishops, and Fr. Ron & Sarah Clingenpeel.
Parishes around the diocese are sending special collections to Episcopal Relief and Development. Please send us news of your parish response for inclusion here.
The Three "Rs" of Disaster Response
Rob Radtke, President, outlines ER&D’s work in Haiti: It is important to remember that all disasters have a life cycle: “The Three Rs of Disasters.”
Right now, we are in the “Rescue” phase. All hands are on deck to save lives and property. This phase involves finding and treating the immediate medical needs of survivors and stabilizing ongoing hazards, such as shifting buildings. As such, it is best left to the heavy lifters – government and military search and rescue teams. These groups also have heavy equipment that can clear roads and debris, as well as large specialized operations with mass distribution systems that have pre-positioned warehouses. The “Rescue” phase typically lasts a week, but with the extraordinary logistical hurdles being faced in Haiti, it may take longer. Complete article.
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