We have formed a team to help the Haiti field respond appropriately to the earthquake and its effects on Haiti. Here are the people to contact at One Mission Society headquarters to answer your questions. 

This should help us respond in appropriate ways without overwhelming the team in Haiti with a massive number of emails and phone calls.

In addition, let's put the members of the Disaster Relief Team on our prayers as they try to respond appropriately to people needing help and people wanting to help.

1. Direct any communication that pertains to the disaster intended for the Haiti field to Don Saum, who will send that on to the field.
2. Direct any communication that pertains to donations of money for disaster relief in Haiti to David Meek.
3. Direct any communication that pertains to donations of durable goods (things) for disaster relief in Haiti to Kent Eller.
4. Direct any communication that pertains to going to Haiti to be involved in disaster relief to Bill Evans.
5. Direct any communication or questions that pertain to general information about Haiti to Susan Loobie.

This should help us respond in appropriate ways without overwhelming the team in Haiti with a massive number of emails and phone calls.

Currently, OMS is evaluating our ability to respond to the disaster in Haiti. There are at least five different responses Haiti requires. OMS cannot respond to all of them, but we can respond in some of the areas:

• Search and rescue. The immediate need is to find victims who are trapped and rescue them from their surroundings. OMS is not equipped to do that with either the physical equipment necessary or the expertise to be of value. We are not responding in this area.
• Medical triage and treatment. OMS has some expertise in medical triage and treatment, but our units are located in the north, out of reach of the disaster. We will become involved later through short-term medical teams to deal with ongoing medical issues.
• Cleanup and rebuilding. Much will be needed to clean the rubble and rebuild both buildings and infrastructure. OMS does not have equipment to be involved in major construction projects, but we do have smaller equipment. We will very likely be involved in rebuilding both our own ministry centers and help with the rebuilding of others.
• Ongoing physical care. There is need for physical items like food and water, clothing and shelter. OMS has in the past provided such items and served in the distribution of these items. We will almost certainly be involved in distribution in this disaster as well.
• Ongoing emotional and spiritual care. Long after the initial impact of the disaster is felt, after people’s physical needs are being met, they begin to feel the emotional and spiritual impact of the disaster. OMS has in the past and most certainly in this disaster will move to help Haitians deal with the trauma of the disaster and the loss of loved ones and physical well-being.

As we respond, we will partner with other organizations, each contributing their own particular expertise so as to most efficiently minister to the incredible needs being presented in the disaster.