Haiti Earthquake Relief

Priority Project – 4-47402-44

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

CAMA is assisting survivors of the 7.0 earthquake that destroyed Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, on January 12. According to a CNN report, the death toll has reached over 200,000. About 3 million people—one-third of Haiti’s population—were impacted by the quake.

In partnership with sister organizations already on the ground, CAMA is providing immediate assistance—including clean water, emergency shelter, medical aid, and other necessities. Working with the Haitian Association, CAMA will be assisting several churches in the earthquake affected area in rebuilding their church structures and lives, integrating Jesus’ message of redemption with practical acts of compassion.

“A compassionate response during a disaster tangibly expresses Christ’s love and opens doors for other ministries”, says Phil Skellie, CAMA’s president.

Gifts in Kind: Please download the Gifts in Kind Guidelines when considering sending relief supplies to Haiti.

Join with us as we join with those on the ground and bring hope and help today.

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• UPDATE: February 18, 2010

  CAMA President, Phil Skellie, led a survey team to Haiti on Feb.12-14. The team was made up of a CAMA consultant (Drew Bishop), a representative of the C&MA Haitian Association (Rev. Adner Joseph), an Alliance missionary from the Dominican Republic (Rev. Bruce Dyke) and a layperson from the Dominican C&MA Church (Gerald). 5 churches linked to Haitian Association pastors were surveyed. One, about an hour east of Port-au-Prince (PAP), was not damaged. Another in the Carrefour suburb of PAP (attendance appox. 250 ) had visible structural damage, but was still standing. Thirty-two families in this congregation lost their homes; seven members were killed. When Pastor Joseph spoke at this church on Sunday—the last day of a nationwide, three day government decreed prayer and fast—fifteen people responded for salvation, including a neighbor who had resisted the Gospel for 20 years. Earthquakes focus the mind and heart marvelously.

  The Gode church (attendance appox. 150) and school, west of PAP and closer to the epicenter, was destoryed. Thirty-seven homes were destroyed and 4 people died. A church in the mountains above Leogane (attendance appox. 300 ), the epicenter of the quake, was flattened. The earthquake took place at 4:55pm, just prior to the congregation gathering for a meeting at about 5:30. No one was killed, but the majority of the congregation lost their homes and were without a nearby source of clean water.

  A church on the main street of Leogane (attendance appox. 60), the epicenter of the quake, was reduced to rubble. Every member lost their home and a mother and daughter were killed.

  CAMA will be working with the Haitian Association to assist in rebuilding damaged churches and the homes of both church members and the unchurched in the community. We will use the churches as bases for both evangelism and community development, the latter involving food-for-work and income generation projects, clean water, and other needs which the communiites identify.

  The magnitude of the disaster is overwhelming. CAMA is determined to “Start somewhere and do something,” focusing on small groups that we can assist and moving them on from there. Your partnership in prayer, overwhelming generosity (over $915,000 to date) and a willingness to work are tremendous encouragements as we respond. Short-term teams will be needed as soon as we have appointed a Haitian liaison who will be on the ground to give direction to the teams. Thank you for your willingness to do hands on work and your patience in waiting until we have sufficient infrastructure on the ground to insure the effectiveness of short-term teams.

• UPDATE: February 5, 2010

  Phil Skellie will be driving into Haiti from the Dominican Republic on February 12 with a survey team including representatives from the Haitian Association, the Dominican Republic field, and the Dominican Alliance church.

  CAMA has identified five Alliance affiliated churches in the earthquake affected area in need of major assistance in rebuilding their destroyed church facilities. The survey team will be visiting these churches to best assess to how to come alongside these brothers and sisters. CAMA is also flying in desperately needed tents to distribute to those in need of shelter.

• January 22, 2010

  Phil Skellie flew to Dominican Republic on January 21 to assess how to work with the national church in that country in providing relief to the people of Haiti.

  Despite news reports that aid has been slow in getting into the impoverished country, CAMA has been able to channel relief into Haiti through a representative from the Haitian Association who arrived in Haiti this week. In addition, CAMA has supplied funds to sister organizations already on the ground in Haiti when the earthquake hit, including World Relief and Samaritan’s Purse.

• January 20, 2010

  On January 20, 2010, at 6:03 a.m. (EST) a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit 35 miles WSW of Port-au-Prince. News reports say many people have been living outside since the original earthquake on January 12 and are noticeably shaken.

  Phil Skellie is scheduled to meet with the Southeastern District today to discuss the logistics of getting relief to the Haitian people as soon as possible. Items to be discussed include the possible entry of district volunteers into Haiti through our Dominican Republic field.

  Additionally, Phil reports that CAMA will be working with John Schleh and the Dominican Alliance to distribute much needed water and food relief through Haitian Alliance churches.

• January 12, 2010

  A 7.0 magnitude earthquake destroyed Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. CAMA has responded with an initial grant of $25,000 to be used in assisting Haitian families affected by this epic disaster.

  According to a CNN report, the death toll may top 100,000. The hospitals are gone and medical supplies are desperately needed. About 3 million people—one-third of Haiti’s population—were impacted by the quake.

  In partnership with sister organizations already on the ground, CAMA will provide immediate assistance—including clean water, emergency shelter, medical aid, and other necessities—as well as long-term help in rebuilding efforts, integrating Jesus’ message of redemption with practical acts of compassion. Won’t you join us as we reach out to our Haitian neighbors?

  A compassionate response during a disaster tangibly expresses Christ’s love and opens doors for other ministries, says Phil Skellie, CAMA’s president.