In lieu of our weekly External Focus blog, we wanted to provide you with updates on Mission of Hope Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. You can read all our blog posts here.
In light of the ongoing impact of Hurricane Matthew, we wanted to respond to the many of you who are asking about our partners, Mission of Hope Haiti. Hundreds of deaths in Haiti have been attributed to the hurricane, while other island nations and the United States also experienced fatalities. (Ongoing updates from CNN can be found here.)
Mission of Hope is doing an excellent job updating about their status and the country's condition on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fortunately, their ministry and villages avoided the brunt of the storm, especially in the village of Titanyen. Bercy, situated on the coast, experienced somewhat more impact.
Because they were not in the hardest hit areas, Mission of Hope is able to lead the effort to help the parts of Haiti more severely impacted by the storm. This newscast from Austin shares about their great work:
(as of October 10)
Here's content taken from Mission of Hope's email newsletter:
We have been able to deliver food and water to some of the hardest hit areas along the coast over the last few days, and we are currently working with partners to provide more aid via helicopters, barges, and a fleet of trucks. But there is still much to be done and many who have not been helped yet.
We are concerned the fatality numbers from cholera and starvation could greatly surpass the number of those killed in the storm. Here are our greatest concerns and needs right now:
Unreached Places- There are many men, women and children in unreached places that have been without food, water, and shelter for almost a week now. Because so much of the Haitian population was already malnourished prior to the storm, starvation is a great concern for those who have been without food. We are doing everything in our power and working with hundreds of partners to get help to these people, but because of blocked roads, air delivery is the only option to some of these areas. To fly food shipments into Haiti costs 3 times as much. Please pray for food, funds, air support and for those awaiting our help.
Cholera- With the water in Haiti now contaminated, cholera is starting to spread. Without treatment, cholera can be fatal in a matter of hours. We need to get clean water and food to these areas as well as medical care for those affected. We desperately need water filters and Aquatabs for these areas. We are currently working to set up multiple cholera treatment centers.
Food Supply Sustainability- Reports are showing that 90% of crops and chickens along the coast are completely destroyed. This leaves the potential for a food epidemic long-term. We are committed not only to relief from the hurricane but helping create long-term sustainability in the food supply for Haitians. Please pray for ongoing partners and donors in these efforts.
(first reported October 6)
This is the original information we received about the situation and Mission of Hope's involvement in recovery efforts.
Mission of Hope is Impacting Its Country
Mission of Hope is Doing Well
How Watermark is Helping - including Trips
For future updates, be sure to visit the watermark.org/disasterrelief page. And you can subscribe to our weekly External Focus blog below!
Photo Credit: Mission of Hope's Facebook page