ATLANTA (ABP) — In the wake of yet another disaster in Haiti, two Baptist groups have released funds to help the storm-ravaged nation.
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has donated $10,000 to aid World Vision in its relief efforts following devastation from Tropical Storm Jeanne. In addition, the American Baptist World Relief Office has released $5,000 in funds for relief efforts.
The storm — which later became Hurricane Jeanne and pounded Florida's southeastern coast — first raked Haiti. According to the Associated Press, Haitian officials have placed the storm's death toll in that impoverished country at more than 1,500. Most of the deaths came from flash flooding due to storm surge and heavy rains.
Nationwide, the government estimates that more than 300,000 people are homeless following the storm, with more than 200,000 homeless in the hard-hit city of Gonaives. World Vision representatives are currently in the area, helping to distribute food, clean water and other humanitarian supplies.
According to the American Baptist News Service, the rector of a Christian university in Haiti reported that among the dead in Gonaives are a Baptist pastor and his wife.
But damage from the storm and mudslides have made the relief process harder. The Associated Press reported that when trucks carrying eight tons of food were blocked by mudslides, they had to be unloaded and the supplies transported by donkeys and mules to reach some locations.
David Harding, CBF's director of emergency response, felt the effects of Jeanne himself. Harding, who lives in Florida and recently rode out his third hurricane in just over a month, said it's important that the organization remembers the plight of neighbors.
“Even though Florida has been battered by hurricanes, we can't turn away from our neighbors in need, like Haiti and the Bahamas,” Harding said. “Haiti is a critical situation where years of mismanagement politically and environmentally have exacerbated the effects of Tropical Storm Jeanne. The general population is now the ones suffering and we want to help through our partners such as World Vision.”
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