Haitian Relief Efforts
Below you will find a list of websites and articles, compiled by Bishop Rickel, which address various aspects of the Haitian crisis and the churches response.
The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
Donations to Haiti earthquake relief made before March 1, 2010 are eligible for deduction on 2009 tax returns:The new law only applies to cash (as opposed to property) contributions. The contributions must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. Taxpayers have the option of deducting these contributions on either their 2009 or 2010 returns, but not both.
To get a tax benefit, taxpayers must itemize their deductions on Schedule A. Those who claim the standard deduction, including all short-form filers, are not eligible.
For further information contact IRS:Haitian Relief
Facts about the Diocese of Haiti
Facts about the Diocese of Haiti and the aftermath of the earthquake
- The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is the largest and fastest-growing diocese in The Episcopal Church. There are over 83,000 Episcopalians in Haiti. The Diocesan offices are located in Port-au-Prince. There are 115 congregations and communities of faith in Haiti, including 97 Episcopal churches. in 2008, the diocese celebrated over 200 child and adult baptisms, and over 700 child and adult confirmations. There are over 200 Episcopal schools with more than 6000 students.
(Source: The Episcopal Church Research Statistics)
- Updated information available from The Episcopal Church Office of Communication, including items from across the country on missionaries, church responses, persons in Haiti, etc. can be found at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/haiti.php
- The Rt. Rev. Zache Duracin is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. He is unharmed; his wife suffered an injury to her foot.
- The Episcopal Church in Haiti has lost a cathedral, convent, Holy Trinity Complex, College St. Pierre, and a Jubilee Center.
- The Episcopal Church's three missionaries who were in Haiti are all accounted for - Mallory Holding, Jude Harmon, and Oge Beauvoir, who is the dean of the Theological Seminary, along with his wife Serette.
- Episcopal Relief & Development has disbursed emergency funding to the Diocese of Haiti to help meet critical needs such as food, water and shelter for those affected. Donations can be made to Episcopal Relief & Development by calling 800-334-7626 ext 5129. https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php .Episcopal Relief & Development has a four star rating on Charity Navigator and meets all 20 standards of the Better Business Bureau.
- Bulletin inserts from Episcopal Relief & Development are available in both Spanish and English. http://www.er-d.org/BulletinInsertsCT/
Haiti: The Three "Rs" of Disasters
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.
The next phase is the "Relief" phase, where the focus is on creating temporary safe and sanitary conditions. As I saw in Katrina, the church is often one of the first places people go to seek assistance and shelter. We have already heard that in rural and outlying areas around the earthquake zone, existing clinics are seeing patients who have been able to get out of Port-au-Prince. Some of these clinics are expanding patient care to schools and church buildings. The "Relief" phase typically lasts a few months.
Finally, we get to the third and final phase: "Recovery." During recovery the emphasis shifts to restoring services, rebuilding houses and buildings, and returning, to self-sufficiency. The Diocese of Haiti has a very large and vibrant social infrastructure and we fully expect that Episcopal Relief & Development will be there for the long haul supporting their important and vibrant ministries.
The challenge of the "Recovery" phase is that most of the television cameras have moved on, but the human suffering has grown. It is a chronic state, not a crisis. However, it is the phase that Episcopal Relief & Development and its partners excel at, because we work with churches that are part of the communities and know the needs best and how to meet them. This phase will last years. The unmet needs in a place like Haiti - which already struggles with immense, chronic poverty - will be monumental.
Right now Episcopal Relief & Development is focused on preparing for the "Relief" phase and securing the resources for the "Recovery" phase.
For more information on the Haiti earthquake and on Episcopal Relief & Development's response, please visit www.er-d.org/HaitiCrisis.
A Call to Action: Help the Orphans
"Bondye do ou: fe pa ou, M a fe pa M." Haitian proverb meaning
"God says do your part and I'll do mine."
There are so many newly orphaned children in Haiti, the orphanages cannot take them all in. Now is the time to work with the existing orphanages there to find homes for the orphans already approved for adoption. This will make room for the newly orphaned whose numbers are climbing every day.
If you or someone you know might be interested in working with the newly forming diocesan group organizing to work with orphanages in Haiti to bring love, new homes and opportunities to flourish in new families in the Northwest, please contact:
Deacon Sally Carlson,
St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, West Seattle.
206-937-4545 X#109
We are presently in partnering discussions with St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lakeview, New Orleans, our We Will Stand With You partner. We are also in discussions with a child advocacy and adoption center, so our work is moving along.
Now is the time to step up.... to help bring peace, stability and safety to the lives of Haiti's orphaned children. We need your help, your hearts, and your own unique gifts to create a full diverse group dedicated to meeting God where God's children in need stand. We cannot do this alone. Please let us hear you also are feeling called to help in this most tangible way-in a way that will impact many lives with the gift of love and care.
"Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18:4-5
Thank you for your support.
Deacon Sally Carlson
