Long-term Haiti commitment ahead

ALPHARETTA (BP) — Southern Baptists’ response to the Haiti earthquake will be a long-term commitment, much like the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to Baptist leaders.

“Katrina was in 2005 and four years later, we’re still involved,” said Bruce Poss, the North American Mission Board’s national disaster relief coordinator. “This will be a long-term commitment to the people of Haiti.”

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Volunteers from First Baptist Church in Cleburne, Texas went to New Orleans five times to assist in Hurricane Katrina cleanup, above, doing chain saw, demolition, and construction ministry. Leaders say a similar response to the earthquake in Haiti will be asked of Southern Baptists.

John Sullivan, executive director of the Florida Baptist Convention, which has had a 15-year partnership with Haitian Baptists, advised Baptists to be patient as disaster relief plans are formulated.

“If you have never been to Haiti, it will be difficult for you to understand the security and infrastructure issues,” said Sullivan, who traveled to Haiti last September and 14 other times in previous years.

In preparation for beginning relief work in Haiti, the Florida convention has purchased 21 tons of rice to be transported to Miami and readied for shipment to Haiti.

Mickey Caison, NAMB’s adult volunteer mobilization team leader, said only fully-trained, experienced disaster relief volunteers will be enlisted in the initial disaster relief response plan.

“Volunteers must be in extremely good health because there will be hardship. We don’t know what types of living conditions will exist for the time being. Volunteers must also pay their own way,” Caison said.

“As we transition to longer-term operations, more state missions teams – as identified by the state conventions – will be needed. People interested in volunteering eventually need to be contacting their state conventions,” Caison said.

Caison said Southern Baptist DR workers are maintaining close contact with partners in the Christian Response Coalition, a group including Samaritan’s Purse, The Salvation Army, World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, Operation Blessing, and the United Methodist Church.

“We’re talking with each other on a daily conference call to learn what’s being accomplished, what they’re seeing, and where the other teams are. We just want to make sure the gaps are being filled and needs are being met.”

Caison said the main thing Southern Baptists can do right now is to pray and give.

“We need to be in prayer for the earthquake victims and their families, and the believers in Haiti who are ministering to the survivors,” Caison said.

Reported by Mickey Noah, a writer for the North American Mission Board, and Barbara Denman, director of communications for the Florida Baptist Convention.