Monday, March 22, 2010
CRS Haiti Response - Resources
The video on “surviving the earthquake” is very powerful.A CRS staffer describes surviving the earthquake in this moving video.
Read about how other schools are making a difference.
Use this discussion guide to compare life in Haiti to life in the U.S.
Hold a prayer service for Haiti
Buckets of Hope lesson plan on Education website. education
CRS Thank You from Haiti
We in Haiti, are all shouldering the loss in some way here, but we hope you can take pride in some of the burden you’ve helped to lift. As of today, February 8, alongside our Church and Caritas partners, we have been able to achieve the following:
• Distribution of food to 264,200 people, and non-food items to 25,000 people.
• Provision of medical care and treatment to a total of 4,126 people, and hygiene kits to 10,000 people.
• Support of medical materials and supplies, volunteer doctors and nurses, food, water and other support to expand emergency medical care at St. Francois de Sales Hospital.
• Establishment of three functioning operating rooms—conducting an average of 12 severe surgical cases per day—as well as a laboratory, X-ray room and blood bank at St. Francois de Sales Hospital.
• Resumption of health care at 12 highly populated areas in Port-au-Prince
and Leogane.
• Launching of public health campaign carried out through megaphone and radio.
• Installation of four water storage and purification units in various areas of the city, and water and sanitation assessments in another 14 locations.
• Creation of designs to build a latrine at St. Francois de Sales Hospital, and an initial strategy for drainage, showers and sanitation at camps and temporary settlements.
• Child protection trainings taking place. Five child friendly spaces have been set up at camps. Assessment of 101 orphanages and child care centers supported by CRS/Caritas Haiti is ongoing.
• First phase of emergency shelter kit distributions in PĂ©tionville provided for 6,500 families (39,000 people).
It is going to be a long road to recovery, and our teams of professionals are mapping out the transitional and long-term programming that fits with the needs and context for people to rebuild their lives. We’ll be sure to share those updates and stories with you.
In the meantime, thank you for making this possible and please keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers.
A saying is popular in Haiti that you can hear on the streets and in camps:
“Nou bite men nou pap tonbe. We may stumble but we will not fall.”
Indeed, with your support, few things have rung so true.
CRS History in Haiti
Catholic Relief Services began working in Haiti in 1954 after Hurricane Hazel devastated the country and killed upward of 1,000 people. High population density, severe deforestation and decaying infrastructure make Haiti particularly vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods.
In the beginning, CRS’ work centered on responding to the massive loss of lives and physical destruction caused by the hurricane. However, since 1954 CRS Haiti has grown to include both emergency relief activities and long-term development work. CRS Haiti now focuses not only on emergency response, but on spurring economic growth for Haiti’s poorest citizens through agriculture, natural resource management, and microfinance/small-business development. We also help Haitians by providing much-needed programs in education and health.
CRS Haiti continues to support “safety net,” or social welfare, centers such as children’s homes and centers for the aged and dying. Catholic Relief Services Haiti works to improve access to health and nutrition services, education, and water and sanitation. CRS programs assist with emergencyresponse, HIV and AIDS, social safety net institutions, and agricultural development. These efforts focus on ensuring social justice and preserving human rights.
For more information, please visit www.crs.org
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Letter from Haiti: Thank You All
She closes the letter with the following...
In the meantime, thank you for making this possible and please keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers.
A saying is popular in Haiti that you can hear on the streets and in camps:
"Nou bite men nou pap tonbe. We may stumble but we will not fall."
Indeed, with your support, few things have rung so true.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
CRS Update on Haiti, Number 2
Friends,
Thank you for your continued prayers and donations for the people of Haiti. Attached is a second report with information about how Catholics in the U.S. are responding to the needs of our Haitian brothers and sisters through Catholic Relief Services. We continue to be awed by the outpouring of support from around the country.
As you look for resources on Haiti, CRS has lesson plans and prayer services available at http://education.crs.org. These resources can be included in your Food Fast to add a special focus on Haiti.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you again for your support of Catholic Relief Services.
Best,
Jennifer
Jennifer Swope
Catholic Relief Services - U.S. Operations
228 W. Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-951-7265 (direct)
800-235-2772 x7265 (toll free)
Special Report #2
Haiti’s Reality
CRS has worked in Haiti for over 50 years. Even before the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake, Haiti was a country in need. The nation is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere with 80 percent of the population falling below the poverty line. Estimates are 150,000 people were killed and 800,000 were left homeless.
Latest News from CRS/Caritas Haiti
"It may look to many in the rest of the world that those in need are not receiving any aid, but actually thousands here in Port-au-Prince are getting help," said Karel Zelenka, the CRS country representative in Haiti.
To date, CRS has:
- Provided food to 74,458 people, and non-food items to 15,692 people, distributing an average of 62 metric tons of food per day.
- Sent in medical teams that are treating 300 people per day.
- Supported 2,500 people at Missionaries of Charity centers.
For up-to-date information visit www.crs.org or crs-blog.org.
The U.S. Catholic Community Responds
Examples of the enormous compassion and generosity of the U.S. Catholic community:
CRS has received $26 million in cash donations and commitments.
Parishes are reporting extremely generous second collections for Haiti, such as Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington, VA, which raised 7 times the normal second collection. Oakland Cathedral in California held a benefit choral concert.
Hundreds of Catholic parishes with twinning relationships in Haiti are using social networks to help. St. Brendan’s in Cumming, GA organized a "virtual prayer circle" for Haiti.
Catholic universities, such as Notre Dame and Catholic University, responded immediately by setting up special websites. Others held special masses, prayer services and concerts. Seattle University students cancelled a previously planned trip to Haiti and are now raising funds. Basketball teams at Assumption College in Worchester, MA organized a half-time raffle. The Newman Center at Minnesota State University is organizing a benefit Valentine’s Day dinner. More stories…
Catholic youth and schools are responding with prayers and fundraisers such as dress down days wearing the Haiti colors of red and blue. Some have contributed money in lieu of lunch snacks or are holding Raise Money Right chocolate fundraisers. Many teachers are using a CRS lesson plan to teach about Haiti.
How You Can Help
Visit: www.crs.org for prayers, resources and information about the Haiti Earthquake. See us on Facebook.
Call: 877-Help-CRS (877-435-7277) or Text RELIEF to 25383 to donate $10 on your phone bill.
Mail: Catholic Relief Services, Attn: Haiti Earthquake, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090
Advocate: Join the Catholics Confront Global Poverty legislative network to advocate for issues including international assistance reform, relieving Haiti’s debt, and help for Haitian refugees.
Please share this with other Catholics interested in responding to the Haiti earthquake relief effort.
Parish Bulletin Announcement
Weekend of January 30-31
Haiti Earthquake Update from CRS
Generous contributions from Catholics across the country to Catholic Relief Services are helping thousands of Haitians after the devastating earthquake on January 12th. CRS has provided food and other emergency supplies to more than 90,000 people through two large sites and parish distribution sites across Port-au-Prince. CRS medical teams are treating 300 per day. For more information on CRS relief efforts in Haiti as well as prayer resources, educational resources, and information on how you can help with the long-term rebuilding process, go to www.crs.org.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Update on Haitian Earthquake Response from CRS
Special Report: January 20, 2010
-Bishop Pierre Dumas, President of Caritas Haiti
Latest News from Haiti
CRS has committed $25 million to the emergency response and
rebuilding of Haiti.
CRS has worked in Haiti, whose population is 80 percent
Catholic, for more than 50 years. The 313 staff of CRS in Haiti
started helping people within hours of the earthquake.
Food is moving to people in need. CRS is arranging the
distribution of 2,100 metric tons of vegetable oil and grains from
the USAID for Food for Peace program.
The CRS/Caritas team helped the St. Francois de Sales Hospital
open three operating rooms which are now up and running.
For the most up to date information visit http://www.crs.org or the
CRS blog. http:/crs-blog.org/
US Catholics Respond
Over the past week, the US Catholic community has poured out compassion for the people of Haiti. Here are just a few examples:
Catholics and other people of goodwill have donated $16.5 million to CRS for Haiti relief to date. Dozens of dioceses have held or will hold a special collection for Haiti.
Social media has helped many CRS supporters express their compassion. CRS Facebook Fans have shared the link to www.crs.org on their profile page.
Thirty priests and deacons who are CRS Global Fellows are preaching in parishes nationwide. Hundreds of local pastors have focused their homilies on our gospel response to those in need in Haiti.
Schools and youth groups are finding creative ways to raise funds for Haiti. For example, youth groups are dedicating funds from their CRS Food Fast events to Haiti relief. Seaton Keough High School in Baltimore and Holy Cross School in Rumson, NJ organized school-wide dress down days, the latter raising nearly $19,000 in one day.
For youth/educator resources visit: http://education.crs.org/
Pray and Give
Visit: www.crs.org for prayers, resources and information about the Haiti Earthquake.
Call: 877-Help-CRS (877-435-7277) to give.
Mail: Catholic Relief Services, Attn: Haiti Earthquake, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090
Please share this with other Catholics interested in responding to the Haiti earthquake relief effort.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Haitian Earthquake - NFCYM resources
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haitian Earthquake - Resources for working with communities to respond
Please go to the CRS Education Website, to view parish resources, prayer resources and lesson plans. This is an “unimaginable tragedy” as Obama just said, that we can all respond to through prayer and giving. http://education.crs.org/
Haiti - Message from CRS West Youth Programs Organizer, Jeanine Boucher-Colbert
Dear friends,
It is rare that I personally send out a update on a global emergency, as I know we can all get overwhelmed at the world’s needs. Yet, the earthquake in Haiti is beyond words and needs a “hemispheric response,” as one person said last night. We are called to stand in solidarity in a very strong way today. Please pray at the very minimum for Haiti’s people and for CRS and the other NGOs responding to this catastrophic disaster. Attached (Ed. Note: see below) is an emergency update, prayer and where to send any financial help possible. Please send this around widely. CRS has been working closely with the Haitian church for decades and has a great record in responding to disasters because of that. Mass is being held as we speak at our Headquarters in Baltimore as emergency teams are being mobilized.
I had the great privilege to spend a couple weeks in Haiti a few years ago and was struck over and over at the incredible faith and Spirit in the Haitian people. I was also struck, despite having lived, volunteered and visited in many countries at the depth of their suffering. May the Spirit give the grace and strength they need, once again, to face this suffering and recover as a people.
Thank you so much.
Peace,
Jeanine
Jeanine Boucher-Colbert
Youth Program Organizer, CRS West
Office: 503-282-6406
Cell: 503-250-2989
5404 NE Mallory
Portland, OR 97211
January 12, 2010
Emergency Brief 1; Haiti Earthquake
Situation: A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has ravaged the island nation of Haiti. The quake occurred 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince just before 5pm EST (Haiti is also on EST). Port-au-Prince, with a population of over 2 million, has been devastated. CRS Country Representative Karel Zelenka reports that “Port-au-Prince was covered with a plume of dust from damaged buildings. We should be prepared for many thousands of dead and injured.”
The CRS offices were shaken, with some damage to the compound walls, but there were no injuries in the building. Two CRS staff members remain unaccounted for. Communication with Haiti remains very difficult.
There are also recently confirmed reports that the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot, was a victim of the quake. The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince has sustained severe damage.
CRS Response:
CRS has made an initial commitment of 5 million dollars for immediate use in the relief effort. Our agency is geared up for a major emergency response to this severe disaster. CRS is mobilizing food and gearing up our emergency capacity, and deploying prepositioned emergency shelter and hygiene kits in Haiti, as well as bringing supplies in from the neighboring Dominican Republic.
From the Field:
Karel Zelenka, CRS Country Representative in Haiti: “I’ve been in earthquakes before. This was a major hit. And it was direct. Thousands must be dead.”
CRS in the News:
From the Washington Post:
"People are out in the streets, crying, screaming, shouting," Karel Zelenka, director of the Catholic Relief Services office in Haiti, said Tuesday night. "They see the extent of the damage," he said, but could do little to rescue people trapped under rubble because night had fallen.
"There are a lot of collapsed buildings," Zelenka said in a telephone interview from Port-au-Prince. "This will be a major, major disaster."
He reported that poorly constructed shantytowns and other buildings had crumbled in huge clouds of dust. Near the CRS headquarters, a supermarket was "completely razed," he said, and a gasoline station and a church were reduced to rubble.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/13/AR2010011300320_2.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2010011300336
Prayer
God of all creation, as we weep with our family in Haiti, console us.
In this time of crisis, open our eyes to look beyond the disaster
to see Christ in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as Christ sees us.
Be with us as we stand in solidarity with those living and working in Haiti.
Be with us in our mourning and guide our efforts to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the grieving and stand for justice.
With your mercy, sustain us at this time as we continue to work for peace and justice.
Amen.
For our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti Affected by the Earthquake
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Haitian people, that help comes to them quickly and comfort comes to those who hurt.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the lost or buried, that they are found and reunited with their loved ones.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For the relief workers, that they have the tools they need, the courage and the strength to respond fully.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For the families in Haiti and in the United States who are waiting to hear from loved one, that good news comes to them.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For those whose who have perished, may their souls rest with you, oh Lord, where they will find eternal love.
Amen.
How to Help:
Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS
Donate online: www.crs.org
Write a check: Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
Memo portion of check: Haiti Earthquake
Information for Church Bulletins:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, is responding to victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti. To donate, please call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at www.crs.org or send a check to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. In the memo portion of your check, please write: Haiti Earthquake
For more information go to crs.org and crsespanol.org