Disaster Relief

Update May 2010

Indiana D.R. volunteers are on STAND-BY status for going to KY/TN for mud-out work. We hope to schedule teams to go in starting Saturday, May 15. If you're available to go, contact Bill Crane (evv3032@yahoo.com or 812-483-6762).

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Response
Haiti Update (1-20-10)

1.       Disaster Relief Assessment Teams

·         Southern Baptist assessment team is on the ground and we are having contact with them daily

·         Travel in Port-au-prince is hazardous at best. Roads and infrastructure are badly damaged

·         Currently all units must be self-contained (providing own food & water, sleeping in tents)

2.       Deployment of Critical Needs Teams

·         It will take several weeks to get all of them in place

·         Team members must have first hand disaster relief or trauma center experience

·         Strong spiritual preparation is necessary

·         The sights, sounds and the smell of death are permeating the city

·         Safety & security of these teams are of major concern

3.       Travel in and around Haiti

·         Heavy Traffic: 200 mile (7 hr) drive from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince now taking
          up to 18 hours

·         Airport still closed to most commercial flights

·         Airport, ports and roads are heavily damaged

·         Vehicular travel is slow and hazardous

4.       Deployment of Long-term Mission Groups

·         Estimate first deployment is 90-120 days out

·         Spiritual preparation will be necessary

·         Chaplain, food distribution, medical, communication and other teams

·         Restoration & rebuild teams

Critical Issues and Concerns

·        Second earthquake: 6.1 on the scale hit around 6:00 AM Wednesday, January 20, 2010  The   epicenter was 36 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince.

·         Safety & security of teams

·         Multiple buildings with thousands of people have not been entered

·         All volunteers must be self-contained (food, water, equipment)

·         Teams must be prepared to sleep outside and/or in tents (no facilities to house mission groups at this time)

Indiana Disaster Relief is continuing to send volunteers to help with relief efforts in various locations contact Bill Crane to offer your help: 812-858-9949 or 812-483-6762