January 18, 2010

Due to the devastated infrastructure throughout Haiti, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is setting up a logistics center in the Dominican Republic as a base for procuring and distributing aid after last week's 7.0 earthquake.

"Haiti doesn't have large reserves of food and other supplies in the best of times, so existing supplies are expected to be exhausted very soon. Then, all supplies will have to come in from abroad," said CRWRC's Disaster Response Director, Jacob Kramer. "In addition, the container cranes on the docks in Port au Prince cannot be used. I have talked to our staff in the Dominican Republic, and we are setting up a logistics group with some other relief organizations that will be based in Sant0 Domingo."

CRWRC's first priority is getting water, food, and medical aid to all those who need it.

"Together with Trojan Industries we are readying three small, self-contained water purification plants which should be on their way on today," reported Kramer. "We are also working with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to provide rice, corn meal, and beans. With Medical Teams International, we are providing medical support – Our first surgical team arrived last week and a specialized orthopedic team will arrive later today."

Once these immediate, emergency needs are met, CRWRC's next priority will be providing temporary and then more permanent shelter to those who are homeless or whose homes are uninhabitable.

Financial donations to support CRWRC's Haiti Earthquake response are urgently needed. Gifts can be made online at http://www.crwrc.org/, or by phone at 1-800-55-CRWRC. Checks designated "Haiti Earthquake 2010" can be mailed to CRWRC, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560-0600.

CRWRC is a non-profit agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America ministering to people in need around the world with relief, development, and justice. To learn more about CRWRC's international relief programs, go to http://www.crwrc.org/.

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee