Emergencies

Emergency Update

Haiti: The Work of the Episcopal and Relief Development agency – June 2010

Since the devastating 12 January earthquake, Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) and the Diocese of Haiti have been working to provide the most basic needs to those affected by the disaster - water and sanitation, shelter, food, healthcare and employment. The core of the work has been focused on the parishes of Léogane, Darbonne, l’Acul, Trouin, Grande Colline, Bainet, Mathieu, Buteau and Carrefour.

ERD is collaborating closely with its partners to ensure that survivors have access to clean water and adequate sanitation systems. Toilet facilities are being built near schools which have reopened as well as other community buildings. Household toilets and water systems are also being repaired.

Shelter - Tents for 400 families have been distributed throughout the nine parishes with 500 more family tents to come. Future plans include the construction of provisional housing for up to 1,000 families. These housing structures, known as “T-shelters,” will be built using local materials and labour. They will have concrete flooring and cemented posts, and are expected to last for at least three years.

A total of 217 tons of food has been delivered through the country’s Episcopal network of churches and schools, targeting eight of the most affected parishes and reaching approximately 70 communities within these parishes. Food was secured through donations, purchased locally and also shipped from the United States.

Mobile health clinics have been set up with medical supplies and counseling services available. More than 18,000 people received care in the first three months following the quake. It is estimated that by the end of June 2010, a total of 30,000 individuals will have received care.

ERD and the Diocese of Haiti have implemented a “cash-for-work” scheme to create employment opportunities within the communities. Part of the main aim is to provide short-term occupation, to give economic support to individuals and their families, and to encourage Haitians to become involved in the recovery efforts (such as rubble removal, rebuilding of roads and ditches, and helping vulnerable community members such as the elderly, the sick and pregnant women).

The recovery process in Haiti will be long-term so it is vital that we continue to support the work of the ERD and their partners, whether it is through giving or prayer, and pray that the Haitians can rebuild their lives.

Donations for Haiti can be made through ABM or you can visit ERD's Website.

Chile

On 27 Feb 2010, an 8.8-magnitude quake hit Chile and at least 795 people have now been confirmed dead (CNN). Concepcion, the city closest to the epicenter of the earthquake, was hardest hit with the capital of Santiago also badly affected. Several strong aftershocks followed as well as a smaller tsunami across the Pacific.

Many of the survivors are without food, water and electricity. Local police are attempting to control looting and lawlessness which is occurring in many areas.

ABM is able to send any donations to Chile through the ACT Alliance, working in partnership with local ACT member FASIC (Fundacion de Ayuda Social de las Iglesias Cristianas – foundation of social aid of Christian churches) and other local partners. ACT is currently assessing the needs for emergency relief.

Indonesia

The earthquake which devastated Indonesia’s West Sumatra province on 30 September 2009 killed 1,117 people, and left 200,000 houses uninhabitable, and 968 schools and 26 health centers seriously damaged (ACT).

Funds raised by ABM were donated to ACT International who have been involved in the rehabilitation process with its members providing transitional shelters for the homeless; non-food items such as tarpaulins, mosquito nets and hygiene kits; replacing equipment for some health centres; and school resources.

The Philippines

The Philippines experienced its worst flooding in decades after being hit by a series of cyclones over the months of September and October 2009. Tens of thousands of people were left homeless, with an estimated human death toll of more than 920. According to EM-DAT (the International Disaster Database), over 4 million people were affected.

Red Cross reported at the end of December 2009 that many were still homeless, with families living at evacuation centres and in tents. Floodwaters have subsided but a lot of places remain under water and damaged, which is not surprising given that about 80 percent of the capital Manila was submerged. A major health concern was the outbreak of a bacterial infection, Leptospirosis, which caused deaths and large numbers of infections due to the stagnant flood water (IRIN).

Infrastructure and livelihoods are being rebuilt but it will take time due to the extent of the flooding. Major roads were affected by landslides, and damage to crops and infrastructure was estimated at nearly 38 billion pesos ($796 million) with more than 180,000 tonnes of paddy rice destroyed (Reuters).

Donations were collected by ABM and ACT for Peace on behalf of ACT International and given to the National Council of Churches in the Philippines for immediate relief aid.

Samoa

The tsunami which struck Samoa on the 29 September last year left 146 dead, many who were women, children and elderly. An estimated 32,000 people were made homeless with a total of 20 villages destroyed (ACT).

ABM collected donations on behalf of Uniting World , our partner in Samoa, who have since provided cooking utensils, household items and assistance with education costs, and trauma counseling. In the long-term, they will be rebuilding homes, community centres and restoring livelihoods.

Helping our Church Partners to Prepare for Emergencies

Many communities have been affected by natural disasters over the past six months. You can show your support by praying for our brothers and sisters in these countries, and by donating to our emergency programs.

Donating to ABM’s Disaster Risk Reduction Project and Global Rapid Response Fund helps get assistance to those who need it most.

Resource for Prayer: A Short litany for use following the Asia-Pacific Natural Disasters.

Zimbabwe

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have launched a Communion-wide appeal to support the people of Zimbabwe.
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Pray for

• All those touched by the recent tragedies as they mourn and rebuild.
• Relief workers who are striving to bring physical needs, security and hope to struggling families.
• International leaders who are considering their cooperative response to challenges of climate change.