Haitian Brethren leaders travel to earthquake zone

Members of the National Committee of L’Eglise des Freres d’Haiti (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) this week met and traveled to the area of southern Haiti most affected by the recent earthquake. The trip was to identify emergency needs and possible response by the church.

Said Brethren Disaster Ministries director Jenn Dorsch-Messler: “From these meetings we hope to hear more about the situation in Saut Mathurine and the Church of the Brethren community there and initial thoughts for how the Church of the Brethren in Haiti may look to support emergency response and eventually longterm recovery.”

Ilexene Alphonse, who is leading the Church of the Brethren communications with the Haitian church, has met via Zoom with the six members of the Haitian National Committee who are together this week in response to the earthquake, Dorsch-Messler said. Alphonse reported: “They are grateful and wanted me to share their appreciations for your prayers and your continuing support for the church and the Haitian people in general. They shared the joy of knowing once again the US Brethren stand with them in prayers and solidarity.”

In related news, Brethren Disaster Ministries has been in communication with ecumenical partner Church World Service (CWS), which has issued a situation report on the earthquake. “The full extent of the earthquake’s destruction is still being determined,” it said, in part, noting the complications of concurrent crises including Tropical Depression Grace, the July 7 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, gang violence, a severe fuel shortage, and communications limitations. CWS is conducting damage assessments with partners. “We anticipate that the CWS response will focus on recovery and rehabilitation,” the report said.

To financially support disaster relief in Haiti as a collaboration of Brethren Disaster Ministries and the Haitian church, go to www.brethren.org/give-haiti-earthquake.

Image of earthquake destruction in southwest Haiti by Pastor Moliere Durose of Saut Mathurine Eglise des Freres d’Haiti.

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