The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is appealing to the worldwide Baptist family to respond to the devastating impact of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, by making donations online, sending in checks by mail or making wire transfers by bank.
Haiti faced the brunt of the massive category four hurricane, resulting in the loss of more than 1,000 lives and some US$1 billion in damage. Thousands of Haitians are in shelters as hundreds of homes were destroyed in the Caribbean nation. It is expected the estimates in loss of life will rise as more reports come in.
Among the affected cities and towns were Cote de fer, Les Anglais, Tiburon, Roche à Bateaux, Dame Marie, Fond des Negres, Les Irois, Anse d’Aineaux, Cayes and Jeremie in Haiti’s southwest region.
There are concerns that the cholera disease, which had affected the country before the hurricane, will become more widespread and severe.
BWA General Secretary Neville Callam assured Haitian Baptists “of our deep concern and our fervent prayers on your behalf. We stand in solidarity with you all and we pray that you will find God’s grace sufficient for the crisis that you are passing through.”
BWA regional secretary for the Caribbean, Everton Jackson, is traveling to Haiti to do further assessment on the needs of the country. Callam asked Haitians to “do your best to receive him and to cooperate with him.” He said Jackson’s “report will significantly impact the level of cooperation that we will be able to offer you as you seek to help the people affected by the hurricane to begin the process of recovery.”
Other countries such as Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas, and parts of the Southeast United States were also affected by Hurricane Matthew, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes to have formed in a decade.
Donations may be made online at www.bwanet.org/give or sent to:
Baptist World Aid
c/o Baptist World Alliance
405 North Washington Street
Falls Church, VA 22046 USA
Baptist World Alliance®
© October 10, 2016