Mission board calls for action in Haiti

United Methodist News Service
STAMFORD, Conn.—Expressing continued concern for Haitians, the United Methodist mission board called the denomination last month to action on behalf of Haiti.
In a resolution approved during their March 22-25 meeting, General Board of Global Ministries directors urged:
> More humanitarian aid.
> Increased awareness by United Methodists of the critical situation in the Caribbean nation.
> Development of strategies to promote peace through economic development, reconciliation initiatives and civic education.
The board is encouraging a comprehensive denominational response to the Haiti crisis through donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief Advance No. 418325, Haiti Civil Emergency.
The Rev. Randy Day, the board’s chief executive, told directors about the mission agency’s commitment to justice, freedom and peace in Haiti and how the board could respond to needs there.
Violence and armed conflict resulted in the resignation and departure of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide Feb. 28.
“In recent weeks, we have again been confronted with civil disorder in Haiti, where lives have been lost and where our vigorous (Volunteers in Mission) program has been disrupted and sustained humanitarian programs jeopardized,” Day said.
The agency continues working with the Methodist Church in Haiti, which has detailed development plans. Top priorities in response to the current crisis include:
> Assisting with education through the church’s network of schools.
> Providing emergency medical care for people directly affected by violence and those in need in rural areas.
> Offering training for a pastoral ministry for trauma victims.
Kristen Sachen, a relief committee staff member, visited Methodist leaders in Haiti early in March. She said church leaders told her that educating future generations is the only hope for the creation of a civil society in Haiti.
Haitians estimate that 1,200 families involved in one of their projects will be unable to afford school fees of $250 each because of the current crisis, Sachen said.
The Haitian church has established a substantial system of elementary and high schools and has published books in French and Creole.
The church has helped develop a corps of educators and leaders.
Day pointed out that the cost of the school fees, emergency medical care and trauma training is “relatively low,” especially in terms of the benefits to Haitians.
The Haitian church has other long-established, successful projects, such as the hot lunch program, which provides 16,877 students with meals at 93 schools, mostly in rural areas. But in 2003, only a little less than half of the $480,000 needed annually for the program was raised, meaning cutbacks in the months ahead.
Information on this and other United Methodist Advance projects in Haiti is available online at http://gbgm-umc.org/advance.
Checks for Advance No. 418325 (Haiti Civil Emergency) can be dropped into any church collection plate.