PDA outlines domestic response to Haitian crisis
Dear
Colleagues in Ministry,
A few of you have inquired about the availability of PDA assistance in responding
to the needs of the Haitian communities in the US in the wake of last week’s
devastating earthquake.
PDA considers this both a domestic and an international disaster. The
role of the domestic response is to provide, where possible, spiritual
support for Haitians living in this country who have been affected by the
events in Haiti. At this point our approach will be to develop
information about Haitian culture and guidance about pastoral care for those
grieving the loss of loved ones from a distance. If the way is clear PDA
may be able to develop regional gatherings for those who wish to be active in
this ministry of care for those in our midst.
At this point returning to Haiti is not advisable for family members. The
international humanitarian assistance programs are working diligently to
develop the relief structures necessary to provide safe, sanitary housing, food
supplies and medical care. PDA will be involved on the ground with
partners with whom we have worked previously. Funds will not be made
available for transportation for family.
We are awaiting word from the US government as to the plans for offering
temporary status for Haitians with ties to the US to come to this country and
under what conditions. So far this seems to be very limited and restricted to
those with overwhelming vulnerability such as those with life threatening
medical conditions and orphans whose orphanages were so badly damaged that
remaining in place constituted an unreasonable risk to their health and welfare.
If some limited evacuation becomes a reality PDA will work with
Presbyteries, existing aid organizations and with those funded by the
government to provide case management and financial support.
So far those evacuated from Haiti have been those with US or dual US/Haitian
citizenship. Many of these families are returning to the US without
resources to support themselves. Unless funding from FEMA is forthcoming
it is likely that these families will be in need of hospitality and support as
well as spiritual care during their evacuation.
At this time PDA does not have a plan for distributing funds to Presbyteries
for support of the Haitian community in the US, aside from the Care for
Caregiver training and information on culturally appropriate ways of assisting
those dealing with the grief in the loss and injury of family and friends in
Haiti.
We are still in the early days of responding to this crisis. The areas
struck by the earthquake are not yet secure, the systems of providing aid are
not yet completely in place and the plans even for the foreseeable future are
not clear from either out government or the United Nations and other
international aid agencies. Care must be taken neither to destroy the
Haitian agricultural sector nor to replace employment opportunities for Haitian
by foreigners as the Haitian people work to get their own economy working
again.
This will be a long process. We all need to be careful to respond to the
immediate needs within our resources without seeming to offer more than is
possible to give. Local ecumenical and non-profit collaboration can guard
against duplication of services and exposure of one organization to be
overwhelmed. In long term disaster recovery it is important for those
affected by the disaster to be encouraged to make choices for themselves and
reconnect with their own means of coping and resilience. Providing
support through prayer services, listening sessions and fellowship can be as
important as the provision of physical needs.
As we move forward with the involvement of PDA domestically with the response
to this overwhelming tragedy, I will do my best to keep you in the loop.
In the meantime, if you know of those who could help in developing
culturally appropriate information for those seeking to provide hospitality to
Haitians during this crisis, please send the contact information to janet.nunez@pcusa.org. In addition, it
would be helpful to know whether there are other Haitian community or faith communities
within your Presbytery.
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