Today an assessment team of nine service men arrived on the island to learn about the Wesleyan Hospital on La Gonave and to get accurate information about potential needs of the island. The team works in conjunction with several non-profits to coordinate aid. The men came in on two helicopters carrying IV fluids for the hospital and small radios for the townspeople.
Once on the ground they didn’t waist any time. Part of the group went immediately to the hospital to receive a tour directed by Hospital Administrator Met. Rous. The other group arrived shortly after, and stood around chatting with the town mayor, Magistra Dahame Laguerre. When the nine-man team was together again, they shared lunch with Magistra Dahame and Met. Rous, asking questions about town needs and distribution plans. Then it was off to the Wesleyan school to speak with the director there.
In just a few hours, the team was able to gather information and make community connections which will be vital in the coming weeks as more relief supplies come in.
But the assessment team wasn’t the only shipment that came in today. While our trucks were waiting for the team at the airstrip, we received a surprise shipment of food and medical supplies from MAF. Additionally, the Monarch Queen reached St. Marc yesterday morning, and today they started the paperwork process which may take 3 or 4 days. Once the paperwork is complete, we will begin unloading and distributing the 80,000 pounds of food.
Please pray for this distribution process:
– that supplies get to areas in most need
– that those transporting supplies are safe
– that a sense of calm and peace covers each point of distribution
Pray also for the logistics of distribution:
– clear communication (telephones and limited internet still make coordination difficult)
– that the paperwork for the Monarch Queen is finished quickly
– transportation: trucks, boats, planes, and men on foot are moving supplies daily
Also continue to pray for all missionaries and aid workers:
– that we’d see the needs
– that we’d know how to respond and how to help others respond
Thanks for continuing to be involved in what God’s doing in Haiti.
Justine
