Haiti earthquake relief

On January 13, 2010, Partners International asked you to help respond to the terrible earthquake that struck Haiti. Thank you for your generous gifts. You have provided hope and assistance in Jesus' name to those who have lost everything.

With your support, Partners International is working in Haiti to serve homeless people, strengthen churches and help them become agents of
sustainable change for their communities.

As you know, the earthquake made a difficult situation in Haiti much, much worse. Even before the earthquake nearly half of the population lived on less than $1 a day, and most people had no opportunity for employment. Now the earthquake has flattened the country’s already weak economy, infrastructure and government. Travel has been restricted and very few resources are available on the island.

Lucknor visits one of the villages on La Gonave Island where most residents are now living outside in makeshift shelters.

In the face of these daunting challenges, your gift makes it possible to start rebuilding hard-hit communities in Haiti. Lucknor Stimphill, director of Haitian Calvary International Ministries (HCIM), has visited communities west of Port-au-Prince and on La Gonave island and has identified the best places to minister to physical and spiritual needs.

Partners International and our affiliates in Australia, the U.S. and the U.K. are working with HCIM to develop a strategy to provide long-term assistance to communities in Haiti. We plan to:

Work through the vibrant national church

In Haiti, families are reeling and the government has virtually collapsed. The church may be the only functioning organization that remains in society. Although Christians have suffered incredible losses themselves, they continue to minister to community needs. The church is already reaping a harvest of good will from the help they are giving in Jesus’ name.

These communities of believers—the Haitians themselves—are an extremely effective channel for helping to transform communities. Partners International has experience working through the Christian community to respond to terrible disasters in Kashmir, Indonesia and Aceh. Local Christians are there for the long haul and know how to maximize the resources we provide to meet needs in their own communities.

Focus on underserved rural areas

Through our partnership with HCIM, we will focus our assistance on the large island of La Gonave, just off the coast from Port-au-Prince. It is home to more than 100,000 people and experienced the full brunt of the quake. No relief whatsoever, has made it to the island. We will offer desperately needed physical assistance and spiritual counsel to traumatized, homeless people in communities where churches are already established and to surrounding villages.

Aim to create self sufficiency in the long term

Before the earthquake, most people in Haiti were trapped in poverty. We want to return these communities to a new level of normal that includes an ability to sustain economic and social health. For example, we plan to train and equip families to establish small businesses that provide sustainable income. We are also exploring the possibility of drilling wells and providing communities with a source of clean water and irrigation for cash crops.

Remember, your gift received by Friday, February 12, to our Haiti project will be matched by the Government of Canada. Now is the best time to make your gift to help homeless people in Haiti.

Thank you for partnering with us to support Haitians as they begin to rebuild their lives and their livelihoods. Your gift will also allow Christians to provide hope and healing to their neighbours in great need. Please consider a gift in Jesus’ name today.

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Please use my gift to provide assistance to people in Haiti. (no decimals, please).