RSS
Search and Rescue
During the first hours and days, the primary concern of the diocese and CEDDISEC was to locate and rescue trapped and injured people on church properties. To help with search and rescue efforts on the church grounds, Episcopal Relief & Development helped CEDDISEC to purchase five sledge hammers and hire approximately 25 laborers.
The emergency situation in Haiti is both severe and widespread, and the availability of professional first-responders is limited. As a result, the work force during this initial response was composed of able-bodied community members and youth scouts from the church. CEDDISEC mobilized these volunteers to sift through debris and rescue important diocesan effects. At Bishop Duracin’s destroyed residence, important documents were recovered. At Holy Trinity Cathedral, efforts were made to salvage worship items and bells as well as some organ pipes. Thereafter, a temporary, open-air worship facility on Cathedral property was constructed.
These initial search and rescue activities continued through January 22.
