It has been one month since Haiti was rocked with an unbelievable 7.0 quake.  Since then the death toll has officially broken 200,000 with 300,000 fleeing the city for rural areas and over 3 million people directly affected by the quake in some way. This week the government plans to move approximately 400,000 of the 1 million now living in makeshift communities in Port-au-Prince to more structured, sustainable tent cities outside the capital so that cleaning, clearing and rebuilding can begin in earnest.

This is a historical moment in our hemisphere. The worst disaster of our time, and possibly ever recorded in this hemisphere. The 2004 tsunami had more casualties, but not in such a concentrated area. Not in such abject poverty.

The numbers are huge, too huge to truly grasp. What can we do?

A lot.

First - do not forget. As time goes on we will become less and less interested in their suffering. This is normal and in some ways healthy, but this country will be rebuilding for an estimated 5-10 years. Not months – years. They will need us to remember and to care and to be involved. Find a way to remind yourself. Set up automatic giving from your credit card or bank account now, before it begins to fade. Compassion, WorldVision, YWAM Haiti and G.O. Ministries are four trustworthy organizations with a long-term presence in Haiti.

Second - pray. These people have been affected like we cannot imagine. There entire nation has been undeniably altered. There is talk of moving the entire capital city. Razing what’s there and starting over. This is truly a chance at a new beginning for this country, and they need it. Pray for strong foundations – geologically, architecturally and spiritually. This event has shown us clearly that all three of them were pretty weak. Let’s hope for something so tragic to be used for so much good – to transform an entire nation.

Third – give. Give to kids, give to schools, give to churches, give for water, give for shelter, give for whatever is on your heart. It’s all needed. Find something you’re passionate about and start giving toward that. Now. And keep it up (see #1 above.) WorldVision has some very affordable, short-term giving projects that will have long-lasting effects. If you can do more, go for it! You will not out-give God. He will take care of you. The biggest needs currently are for food and shelter. Start there. If you want more help, just ask. I can help you find what you’re looking for.

Concerning giving items rather than money – this is an option, but please make sure of two things – you’re not giving them your junk and you are giving things they actually need. Check with groups in Haiti before you start collecting items they may not need. At least not at this stage. There are few things more tragic than a big container full of stuff that’s not being used. Giving money to an established organization will make sure that the right supplies are purchased and usually for a better price than you can get yourself and often from local providers-which has the bonus of helping the country begin to rebuild itself rather than relying on handouts.

Fourth – GO! (you knew I would get here, didn’t you?) I am not one to sit and watch. I want to be there – to be the hands that heal and rebuild. I had that chance in the early days of this disaster. I was there, and possibly could be there again someday. If you can go, go. But don’t go to be a disaster tourist. We don’t need one more person’s weepy blog of pictures without action. We need men and women who will get dirty and sweaty, who can put their own comfort and needs aside for a week or a month (or longer) for the sake of those who have lost it for years, or who may never get it back.

Haiti is less than 2 hours from Miami. It’s very close. It’s doable. You don’t need to be a doctor, contractor or any kind of professional to help. Find a good group to go with – see the list above under “First” for a start. Organize a group from your church, your office, your school through one of these organizations or through another. Just make sure you know them and they will have real work for you to do. There are some well-meaning groups there that are not organized or well-connected.

Questions? Of course. That’s what I’m here for: haiti@rescuenetus.org

Blessings,
Dave

Dave Mansfield
National Coordinator – RescueNet US

The RN team has just arrived back in Miami this evening, they will spend some time there debriefing together before heading back to their homes. Please keep them in your prayers as re-entry can be very difficult, especially after the intensity and conditions they experienced in Haiti.

RescueNet helped assist an Israeli SAR team pull a 22 year old man from beneath the rubble yesterday! He is alive after being trapped for 10 days!

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/ID=1393493322

A large aftershock hit Haiti this morning, we received word from the team that they are safe and doing well!

Communication is limited so we haven’t heard much else, but we are all very thankful to hear that the team is alright!

Thank you all for your support and prayers, please keep them coming!

The RescueNet team arrived safely into Port au Prince on sunday. They have established and set up a camp and have been spending a lot of time attending briefings. The need is huge, today some of the team went out to assess the needs and damage. They spent some time at a clinic where a 1 month old baby was brought in for treatment of full-thickness burns over her left arm. She had just been pulled from the rubble the day before- 5 days after the earthquake! The team received information that the mother was at another site, in poor shape as well, together with another team they were able to treat the mother for her injuries and reunite her with her baby!

Mark took a small medical team out to assist at a hospital that was still in operation. The wounds and injuries there were severe. Crush injuries, multiple fractures and amputations were a few, the supplies were limited and a lot of work had to be done without anesthetic.

Food is scarce and many people have not eaten since the earthquake hit 1 week ago.

Please continue to keep the people of Haiti in your prayers, the need is great. Also, be praying for the team while they continue to work with the people and provide whatever aid is necessary.

The team was able to get on a flight yesterday direct to Haiti, We received confirmation that they are on the ground and doing well, have seen mass damage already.

Because of the closed air space over Haiti the team is now in Miami, trying to locate a way into the country. The flights they had booked for today and tomorrow were canceled and they are currently investigating other means of entering Haiti. By the end of today the entire team will be together in Miami. We are hoping and praying for things to fall into place very quickly, the situation is deteriorating rapidly in Port-au-Prince and aid must get in immediately so life saving supplies and assistance can be given to those most vulnerable. If you would like to donate to the relief efforts, please go to the homepage and click on the paypal link. Or email info@rescuenetus.org to find out information for sending checks or money orders.

All members of the RN team heading to Haiti are now en-route. The team member are coming from the US, Switzerland, Australia and the Netherlands. Pray for safe flights for all and for quick access into Haiti.

Haiti deployment underway! A team of 10 RescueNet workers are preparing to leave for Haiti very soon, all last minute details and flight arrangements are being sorted out. Check back on this site and the RescueNet facebook group often for up-to-date information on this deployment. You can also follow RescueNet on twitter- username RescueNetUS

Greetings followers and supporters,

All of our team are now safely home and getting some much needed rest. You should see wrap-up reports from them here over the next week or so. Keep tuned for details on what they were involved in and what you have assisted with your generous giving, prayers and encouragement.

Sincere thanks,
Dave