Haiti Hit Hard By Hurricane Matthew, Christian Groups Aim to Provide Relief

Hurricane Matthew has landed and wreaked havoc in Haiti, where a church has been destroyed and at least 11 people have been killed. The event is being called the most powerful storm of its kind in more than a decade after it swept through Cuba and the Bahamas on Wednesday.

The Sanctification Haitian Baptist Church, located in St.Petersburg, Haiti, was completely destroyed. Bishop Josias Jocelyn of St. Petersburg has said that his congregation of 100 has helped keep the church on its feet with relief boxes and donations — but the church was hit during the earthquake six years ago.

“The main problem is six years ago we were hit and they [haven’t rebuilt] yet,” said Jocelyn.

Those who were traveling in the area (many of the eight million people who fly everyday travel for pleasure to vacation destinations in the Carribean) were lucky and got a chance to get a refund or rebook their flights.

Most residents of Haiti’s southwestern tip were not so lucky. They were assailed with 145 mph winds, which tore off roofs and trees.

Amidst all the chaos, communication about the level of destruction and death toll is still unclear. Several aid organizations, including many Christian groups, are already on the ground to mobilize relief efforts.

Samaritan’s Purse, one of the world’s fastest-responding disaster organizations, is already on the site, according to Franklin Graham. The organization has been working in Haiti since 1996.

Chris Blackham, the head of projects at the organization, said, “Samaritan’s Purse is well positioned to respond, with teams on the ground since the earthquake and supplies already positioned. Right now we are encouraging Christians around the world to lift up this vulnerable nation and the whole Caribbean in their prayers”.

Another Christian group, LiveBeyond, has set up a fund to receive donations.

“Haitians are such a joy-filled, loving people who have already been through so much,” said LiveBeyond founder and CEO David Vanderpool. “Many of them have still never completely recovered from the earthquake in 2010, and the severely damaged infrastructure makes them even more vulnerable to subsequent events such as this.”