Earthquake in Haiti: Updates

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Episcopal Relief and Development

March 5
Episcopal Diocese of Haiti Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin has written to the wider church saying that the magnitude-7 earthquake that struck the country Jan. 12 "was our baptism."

"Now is our new creation," Duracin wrote on March 5.

Duracin also asked for Episcopalians' patience as the diocese develops what he called a master plan to replace the physical structures of the diocese, which was devastated by the earthquake. The goal of that rebuilding will be to "continue to serve Haitian people with the same love, the same care, and the same support that we have always shown," he wrote.

Most of the diocese's churches and schools were destroyed or heavily damaged. The convent of the Sisters of St. Margaret, adjacent to the cathedral, was also destroyed.

The lost schools include the Holy Trinity complex of primary, music and trade schools next to the demolished diocesan cathedral, the university and the seminary, all in Port-au-Prince. A portion of the St. Vincent School for Handicapped Children, also in the Haitian capital, collapsed. Students and possibly staff were killed at some of the schools.

The diocese, known locally as Eglise Episcopale d'Haiti, is caring for about 25,000 to 30,000 Haitians in roughly 60 settlements around the country. The earthquake left an estimated 230,000 people dead and many towns in ruins; countless people have left the capital for the countryside.

The text of Duracin's letter is below and available here.

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March 3
National Council of Churches members begin 'long-term engagement' with Haiti
[Episcopal News Service] The National Council of Churches USA, has called representatives of its member communions to a meeting on April 6 to begin planning for "our long-term engagement with the renewal and recovery of the people and nation of Haiti."
Full Story: http://ecusa.anglican.org/79901_120055_ENG_HTM.htm

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February 22
Executive Council vows long-time support for Haiti, gives church $10 million challenge
Full story here

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February 16
House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson outlines Haiti's needs
Bonnie Anderson, president of the Episcopal Church's House of Deputies, outlines the immediate and possible long-term needs faced by the nation and the diocese of Haiti in the wake of the Jan. 12 magnitude-7 earthquake that demolished infrastructure, killed some 250,000 people and left millions homeless.
Full story here

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February 22
Summary of Executive Council actions includes resolution on Haiti
Join the international community in mourning the death and destruction resulting from the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti; recognize that the level of destruction and collapse of essential services is "in part the consequence of poverty in which the nations and churches of the West have long been complicit"; express deep solidarity with the Diocese of Haiti; call for relief and development efforts that recognize the human rights and dignity of all Haitians, especially vulnerable groups, ensure that Haitians are fully involved in the planning and execution of all such projects, and that such projects should benefit all Haitians; honor the leadership of Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin; recognize that Haiti's recovery and reconstruction must be directed by the Haitian people, and affirm Duracin's authority and that of the leaders he appoints to request and direct resources required to rebuild the diocese; stand ready to receive Duracin's call for support; commit to review the church's support for those efforts at subsequent meetings of council; commend Episcopal Relief & Development and the Haitian diocesan development staff for its ministry of relief work among survivors; commend Bishop Julio C. Holguín and the Diocese of the Dominican Republic for "its selfless support of its neighbor in need;" urge Episcopalians to continue praying for Haitians and to support the long-term recovery effort; support the presiding bishop's efforts to marshal resources of the wider church in support of Haiti and to work with Duracin in ensuring resources are provided in the most effective manner; commend the U.S. government for its post-quake leadership, including the decision to extend Temporary Protected Status to Haitians in the U.S. as of Jan. 12.
Full story here

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Diocese of Haiti Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin offers the following Lenten reflection, commenting on the situation in Haiti and the need for faith, prayer and renewal in the midst of devastation caused by a magnitude-7 earthquake on Jan. 12. The text is here.

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February 12
New multimedia resources on Haiti earthquake available
In a new video message, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori shares her experiences from her Feb. 8 visit to Haiti where she witnessed the destruction caused by the quake and its impact on the Diocese of Haiti.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_119403_ENG_HTM.htm

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February 8
Presiding Bishop pays pastoral visit to Haitian bishop
'You have already had your Good Friday,' Jefferts Schori tells Duracin
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_119285_ENG_HTM.htm

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February 5
Diocese launches 'trucks for Haiti' campaign
[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, responding to a request from Episcopal Relief & Development, is attempting to supply 10 small pickup trucks to the agency for its post-earthquake relief efforts in the Diocese of Haiti.
More than $85,000 has already been received towards the $175,000 goal, a diocesan news release said.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_119211_ENG_HTM.htm

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A Litany for Haiti
The world’s gaze is on Haiti as its people continue to work towards recovery from the Jan. 12 earthquake that crippled much of the nation’s infrastructure and killed and injured tens of thousands of its people. The Episcopal Church, through the Diocese of Haiti and Episcopal Relief & Development, is committed to immediate relief and long-term reconstruction, and asks the prayers and support of all Episcopalians for its mission there.

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http://wtnhaitipartnership.blogspot.com/ is updated with information about donating directly to the children of St. Vincents and also a letter from Josh Denson, a Tulane medical student, describing his experiences while providing medical relief in Haiti, and how things have changed since he got there.

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JANUARY 27 - Donations for Haiti Relief Collected by GSL School
Today was dress-down day at GSL School. Thanks to the idea of the Student Council - students, faculty and staff could give $3 (or more) for Haiti relief and get a dress-down day.  They exceded their goal and raised a grand total of just under $2,000! These funds will go to the Episcopal Relief & Development Haiti relief effort. We are so very proud of our students.

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JANUARY 25 - Letter from Episcopal Bishop of Haiti to ERD President

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JANUARY 23 - Update from The Rev. Kesner Ajax, Partnership Program Coordinator, Episcopal Diocese of Haiti

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Haitian bishop briefs Episcopal Relief and Development on diocese's priorities - Headmistress says 'the tragedy was incredible to me'
By Mary Frances Schjonberg, January 22, 2010
Full Story: http://ecusa.anglican.org/79901_118749_ENG_HTM.htm

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http://gointotheworld.net/

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JANUARY 17 - Episcopal Church spends Sunday in prayer for Haiti "God is present," presiding bishop tells prayer service
By Mary Frances Schjonberg and Lynette Wilson
Full Story: http://ecusa.anglican.org/79901_118521_ENG_HTM.htm

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JANUARY 15 - "I was certain I was going to die" - Caught in Haiti earthquake, Episcopal Church missionaries recount survival
Full Story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_118499_ENG_HTM.htm

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JANUARY 13 - Report from The Rev. Kesner Ajax in Haiti