Hope in Haiti

From the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Mark Hanson:

January 13, 2011

One year ago yesterday, a catastrophic earthquake struck the nation of Haiti, killing nearly 250,000 people and leaving more than one million homeless.

Many of us remember hearing the news and seeing images of the devastation for the first time. We lifted up the people of Haiti in our prayers. We gave generously.

More than 40,000 ELCA members and leaders like you contributed $12.6 million to support the work of ELCA Disaster Response in Haiti. Because of our long-standing relationships with the Lutheran Church in Haiti and many partners there, the ELCA was and continues to be uniquely positioned to respond quickly and effectively.

Your gifts have:

Provided food and shelter to approximately 57,700 people living in camps coordinated by The Lutheran World Federation and more than 6,000 people who gathered on the grounds of the Lutheran Church in Haiti.
Delivered more than 14,000 quilts and 13,000 health kits.
Distributed 3,200 gallons of safe, clean drinking water to approximately 2,000 families.
Shipped four convoys of medical supplies, hygiene and baby kits, tents, food packages and other necessities.
Funded housing placement and crisis counseling to Haitian refugees and medical evacuees seeking asylum in Florida and Georgia.
And yet our work is far from over. Our long-term goal in Haiti is to help renew hope and rebuild lives and livelihoods, seeking to end the cycle of poverty and injustice.

Thank you for your continued generosity and your prayers for the people of Haiti. Together we will continue to do God's life-giving work with our hands for as long as it takes.

In God's grace,

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

P.S. The spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases have intensified the suffering experienced by our sisters and brothers in Haiti. With the help of ELCA Disaster Response funds, our partners are working hard to contain the outbreak, providing medical supplies and health care, as well as teaching people about preventative measures. Visit ELCA Disaster Response for more information about the ongoing, long-term response efforts in Haiti.