Haiti Crisis - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I make a donation to help the people in Haiti?
To assist those suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake, make an online contribution to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Haiti Earthquake Response Fund or call 1.800.334-7626 ext.5129. Please mail checks to our secure lockbox addressed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Write “Haiti Earthquake Response Fund” in the memo line of all checks.

What is Episcopal Relief & Development doing in Haiti?
For the most up-to-date and detailed information concerning Episcopal Relief & Development’s work in Haiti, click here.

Since the earthquake, Episcopal Relief & Development has reached out to its partners in Haiti to coordinate a swift and effective response. Following the disaster, emergency funds were dispersed to the Episcopal Dioceses of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as to IMA World Health, an organization providing medical assistance in and around Port-au-Prince. Both on the ground in affected areas and from the New York office, Episcopal Relief & Development staff members continue to work closely with the agency’s partners to assess needs, provide technical support and care for as many survivors as possible.

Does Episcopal Relief & Development accept gifts-in-kind?
Episcopal Relief & Development does not accept gifts-in-kind. As you can see from watching the news, getting critical supplies into Haiti is a great challenge. Collecting gifts-in-kind here in the US and then spending money to transport them to Haiti would not be the most effective use of our resources.

At this point, the best way to help people in Haiti is by continuing to hold them in prayer and making a donation to Episcopal Relief & Development's Haiti Earthquake Response Fund.

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.

Will Episcopal Relief & Development help with rebuilding?
In the aftermath of a major disaster, Episcopal Relief & Development supports communities’ rebuilding efforts. After the immediate needs of those most impacted have been met, Episcopal Relief & Development works with local partners to assess needs, set priorities and help repair and construct homes, schools, health clinics, roads, water systems and community centers as appropriate.

The agency only rebuilds churches when the church structure serves other critical functions, such as a community center or school. If you wish to directly fund the rebuilding of church structures, please consider making a donation through The Episcopal Church. To learn more, click here.

Can I volunteer?
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 very unstable and safety and security cannot be guaranteed.

However, we do anticipate that volunteer opportunities may become available as the recovery and rebuilding process unfolds. If you are interested in being contacted about potential volunteer opportunities, please send an email with your name, email address, mailing address, phone number and applicable skills (I.e. construction, language skills - Creole, etc.) to volunteer@er-d.org. We will reach out to you if and when these opportunities become available.

Why isn’t Episcopal Relief & Development included in the various lists of agencies responding to the disaster in Haiti?
Many news agencies have compiled lists of organizations that are currently working to provide relief in Haiti. While Episcopal Relief & Development is included on many of these lists, there are inevitably instances in which the agency is not listed. Often, the choice of which charities to include on these lists is up those making editorial decisions.

If you find that Episcopal Relief & Development has not been included on the list of your local news agency or other organization, please feel free to contact that agency and encourage them to expand their coverage to include Episcopal Relief & Development’s work.

How much money has Episcopal Relief & Development raised for Haiti?
In the wake of this disaster, the response of the Episcopal Church has been overwhelming. As a result of this generosity, we don’t have up to date totals of the amount raised. Please be assured that your contributions are being used to meet immediate needs in Haiti.

What is Episcopal Relief & Development’s relationship with the Diocese of Haiti?
Episcopal Relief & Development has been working in close partnership with the Diocese of Haiti for a number of years. To learn more about the ongoing programs in Haiti, please visit the Where We Work – Haiti page.

Can I earmark my donation to Episcopal Relief & Development for a specific church or organization in Haiti?
Episcopal Relief & Development cannot accept earmarked funds for specific entities within the Diocese of Haiti, as this would violate the agency’s 501(c)3 tax exempt status.

If you would like to raise funds for a specific entity, there is always the possibility of sending the funds directly. However, keep in mind that the channels through which funds are normally sent may not be reliable until the situation in Haiti becomes more stable. The recovery from this disaster will require long-term support, so the best course of action may be to begin raising funds now to be sent at a later time.

For those who wish to support broad relief and recovery activities in Haiti, please make an online donation to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Haiti Earthquake Response Fund, call 1.800.334.7626 ext.5129 or send a check to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Please write “Haiti Earthquake Response Fund” in the memo line of all checks.

How can I help a particular church, school, orphanage or other institution in Haiti?
In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, many people 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. Unfortunately there is not a complete list of existing relationships between parishes and groups in the United States and their partners in Haiti. Gaining a comprehensive view of this network will be crucial in the development of a long-term recovery plan.

To provide information about an existing relationship with an institution in Haiti, please contact the Rev. Lauren Stanley, the Episcopal Church Appointed Missionary to Haiti. Ms. Stanley is working closely with Bishop Duracin to compile information about this network and coordinate a response in the wake of this crisis.

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Haiti Crisis - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)