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RSSHaiti Crisis - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Episcopal Relief & Development doing in Haiti?
Where can I find more information abut the Diocese of Haiti?
Does Episcopal Relief & Development accept gifts-in-kind?
How can I help a particular church, school, orphanage or other institution in Haiti?
How do I make a donation to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti?
How can I support the rebuilding of the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex in Haiti?
What is Episcopal Relief & Development doing in Haiti?
Since the January 2010 earthquake, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti and its relief and development arm, CEDDISEC (Centre Diocesain de Développement et de Secours) on humanitarian work. In the early phase of this crisis, we worked with the Diocese of Haiti and the Diocese of the Dominican Republic, as well as IMA World Health, an organization providing medical assistance in and around Port-au-Prince. In Haiti, we supported the diocese’s provision of food, health care, water, shelter, sanitation and other emergency supplies to more than 60,000 survivors in eight localities around Haiti.
As part of our ongoing recovery efforts, our support is assisting an additional 40,000 people with short-term employment, provisional homes and community and household sanitation systems. Our staff will continue to work closely with the diocese and CEDDISEC on the long-term humanitarian response to this disaster. Visit www.er-d.org/Haiti for more information about our humanitarian response to the earthquake in Haiti. You can also see where we work on the Haiti aid map on InterAction's website.
Where can I find information about the Diocese of Haiti?
The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is one of the Church’s largest and most socially engaged dioceses, with 97 churches serving over 83,000 people and 200 schools serving more than 6,000 students.
Click here for more information about the Episcopal Church in Haiti. You also can visit the Church in Haiti’s website: http://www.egliseepiscopaledhaiti.org/.
Does Episcopal Relief & Development accept gifts-in-kind?
Episcopal Relief & Development does not accept gifts-in-kind. Shipping critical supplies into Haiti or any country after a disaster is very challenging because it involves receiving gifts-in-kind in the US and spending money to transport these supplies. It is not an effective use of our resources. The best way to help people impacted by a disaster such as the earthquake in Haiti is by continuing to hold them in prayer and making a donation.
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, sending volunteers into the affected area can put additional pressure on already-strained resources. Episcopal Relief & Development does not presently have any volunteers going to Haiti, and the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is fully occupied with ministering to its members and therefore unable to host volunteers at this time. We are discouraging all volunteer travel to Haiti for the foreseeable future as the situation there is still unstable. With all the attention focused on helping people and communities recover, CEDDISEC and the diocese are not able to guarantee the safety and security of volunteers.
However, we do anticipate that volunteer opportunities may become available in the latter phases of the recovery program. If you are interested in being contacted about potential volunteer opportunities, please send an email to volunteer@er-d.org with your name, email address, mailing address, phone number and applicable skills (i.e. construction, Creole/French translation, etc.). We will reach out to you if and when these opportunities become available.
Can I earmark my donation to Episcopal Relief & Development for a specific church or organization in Haiti?
Episcopal Relief & Development does not accept earmarked funds for specific entities within the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. Contributions to Episcopal Relief & Development are used to support programs coordinated with and through the Church in Haiti.
How can I help a particular church, school, orphanage or other institution in Haiti?
In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, many individuals and church entities would like to support institutions with which they have a special relationship. The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is engaged in an assessment of church infrastructure and needs around the country. Direct donations to churches, schools and other diocesan institutions should be coordinated through the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. For more information, please contact Rev. Kesner Ajax at the Partnership Program for the Diocese of Haiti, by email (kesnerajax@yahoo.com) or phone (011.509.3445.3346). You can also view a map of Episcopal institutions in Haiti on the Haiti Episcopal Partnership website.
How do I make a donation to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti?
Episcopal Relief & Development is deeply grateful for the outpouring of donations from individuals and institutions around The Episcopal Church. It will continue to use the generous funds raised for its multi-year, community-focused recovery work in Haiti.
If you would like to continue to support Episcopal Relief & Development’s programs worldwide or our work in Haiti, please go to www.er-d.org and click on the “Donate Now” icon.
How does the response of The Episcopal Church to the earthquake in Haiti differ from Episcopal Relief & Development’s?
The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief & Development are supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti in different but complementary ways during the long-term recovery and rebuilding process in the country. Episcopal Relief & Development’s work concentrates on humanitarian programs, while The Episcopal Church is helping to rebuild Holy Trinity Cathedral, in Port-au-Prince.
In line with its mission and mandate, Episcopal Relief & Development is continuing to support the ongoing community-based recovery work of the Diocese of Haiti and CEDDISEC. The current focus is on short-term employment, provisional homes and community and household sanitation systems, among other recovery efforts. For additional details, and to download the one-year report, visit www.er-d.org/Haiti.
To rebuild Episcopal institutions in Haiti that were destroyed by the January 2010 earthquake, the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has launched a Church-wide appeal. The current focus of the appeal is the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex, which includes the Cathedral and its Biblical narrative murals, Holy Trinity Music School and Holy Trinity Professional School, as well as primary and secondary schools. To learn more about the campaign, go to www.EpiscopalChurch.org/HaitiAppeal.
How can I support the rebuilding of the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex in Haiti?
The Episcopal Church Foundation is coordinating the appeal on behalf of The Episcopal Church.
To donate or learn more, visit www.EpiscopalChurch.org/HaitiAppeal.
For information on diocesan or church campaigns, contact Terri Mathes of the Episcopal Church Foundation at 717-599-0627 or TMathes@EpiscopalFoundation.org.
