Authorities have not put an estimate of how many were killed by yesterday’s magnitude 7.0 earthquake, but thousands are feared dead. People are still trapped in destroyed buildings and leveled shantytowns and there is growing concern about the lack of sanitation, water and electricity.
IOCC has mobilized its disaster response team and is coordinating with its Orthodox and ecumenical partners to monitor and respond to the emerging needs in Haiti.
“Our prayers are with the people of Haiti who have lost loved ones in this disaster that has brought even more suffering to one of the poorest nations in the hemisphere,” said IOCC executive director and CEO, Constantine M. Triantafilou. “IOCC will be working with our fellow ACT Alliance members who are already in place to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake.”
Orthodox Christian faithful can help the victims of disasters around the world, like the Haiti Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 877-803-IOCC [4622], or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, PO Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225.
Parish and faithful also are encouraged to assemble hygiene kits and emergency clean up buckets to be shipped to Haiti. For information on hygiene kits, log on to www.iocc.org/kidspage/healthkit_frameset.aspx. For information on emergency clean up buckets, visit www.iocc.org/kidspage/bucket_frameset.aspx.
Since its establishment as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas in 1992, IOCC implemented over $300 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.
