Haiti (MNN) — The devastating impact of Hurricane Matthew continues to takes its toll on the people of Haiti. To date, 81 Compassion International
church partners and child development centers are temporarily closed
due to damage, and more than 5,500 Compassion-assisted children have
been displaced. Three children, 13 caregivers, and five siblings have
died as a result of Hurricane Matthew, and more than 1,000 families have
been relocated due to damage to or destruction of their homes. Even
more Compassion-assisted children have yet to be located, and assessment
continues.
(Image courtesy of Compassion International)
Current damage assessments reveal
millions of dollars in recovery and rebuilding needs. Edouard Lassegue,
Vice President of Latin America and Caribbean Regions for Compassion,
says the two immediate priorities are short-term food security for the
children and their families, and providing clean-up and repairs to local
churches to ensure shelter for families displaced by the storm.
Compassion focuses its efforts on equipping the local
church to serve children and families. Lassegue says that focus
continues, even in times of crisis.
“When it comes to the response in times like this,
whatever donation or support that we bring, we actually equip the local
church so the local church is the distributing agent. And when crisis
like this occurs, support is not limited only to the children who are
registered in our program. We want the church to be the Church as it
cares for all in need.”
(Image courtesy of Compassion International)
Helping partner churches restore operations has a second
and significant impact on the long-term healing of families in the
communities.
“When a disaster like that happens and the lives of those
children are so disrupted, it is extremely important for the children to
actually find an opportunity to regroup, for them to come back to their
gathering place where they can meet with other children, where they can
be protected, where they can be cared for — even if it’s just for a few
hours a day.”
In addition to giving children a safe place for play, worship,
teaching, and prayer, Lassegue says trauma care is embedded into
Compassion’s disaster relief model.
“In situations like these, we deploy a cadre of Christian counselors
who work not only with the children, but also with their families. They
also work with the church leaders to help those church leaders identify
what are some of the behaviors that would be characteristic of a child
who is going through an anxiety attack, for instance. And they work with
the parents to also help their children deal with those type of
situations.”
(Image courtesy of Compassion International)
Lassegue says there are two ways people can provide support to
Compassion and their local church partners. “First, pray for those
people in need, and pray for the people bringing support. Pray for
wisdom and discernment for us, that we will make decisions that will
help without hurting — that we will focus on meeting needs that will
contribute to long-term health for churches and families. And then,
please give. Providing financial resources will make possible the relief
and the rebuilding and the equipping of those churches and partners
that have suffered so much.”
Contribute to Compassion’s Haiti hurricane relief efforts now.
Source: Mission Network
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