August 24, 2012

When a earthquake decimated Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and surrounding areas in 2010, leaving thousands of people dead, thousands more injured and hundreds of thousands homeless, AG World Missions and Convoy of Hope were quick to respond with relief ‹ as Convoy of Hope already had a feeding program established in Haiti and a freshly stocked warehouse.

Today, Tropical Strom Isaac is growing stronger and is expected to develop into a hurricane, with Haiti currently in the predicted path. According to AG World Missions Communications Director Randy Hurst, nearly 400,000 survivors of the earthquake are still living in tent camps in and around Port-au-Prince. The approaching storm's powerful winds and heavy rains are raising fears for those living in these camps, as flash floods and mudslides can be expected ‹ once again threatening people's lives and their meager dwellings.

However, since 2010, Convoy of Hope's feeding initiative in Haiti has grown substantially and an even larger warehouse has been constructed. "The new warehouse is well-stocked and contains much more food than the previous warehouse," Hurst says. "Convoy is uniquely poised to quickly respond and help the needy should a hurricane strike Haiti this weekend."

Hurst explains that AG World Missions and Convoy of Hope partnership creates an effective compassion presence throughout the world. "In some areas of the world, such as Haiti, Convoy has a strong presence," Hurst explains. "In other areas of the world, we have AG missionaries and national churches already in place, so when disaster strikes, we stand ready to team with Convoy to get relief to people many times before others can even begin to organize a relief effort."

At this time, AG World Missions is waiting to learn the final direction and severity of the storm. AG churches in the U.S. have been notified by fax of this potential disaster and, if Haiti is struck and there is an overwhelming need, an appeal will be made.

AG News