Haiti earthquake inspires compassion
By Scott Taylor
Jason Swensen
News of a massive quake on the island nation of Haiti reached many people Jan. 12 as they were driving home from work or perhaps tuning in to the evening news. A short time later, the maiden images of the staggering death and destruction rendered by the catastrophe began finding their way on to 24-hour news broadcasts and newspaper Web sites.
It was sadly evident that the lives of Haitians everywhere had been forever changed. Even as government and news agencies were issuing their grim preliminary reports of hundreds of thousands killed and more than a million Haitians left homeless, an immediate response plan from the LDS Church was under way.
The LDS Church is relatively small in this impoverished nation of 9 million. Two stakes and a few districts are in operation. Still, members were being counted among the victims. A reported 20 Haitian members died in the quake. Meanwhile, some 4,000 people — members and nonmembers alike — have sought nightly refuge at the half-dozen meetinghouses’ in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
No missionaries serving in the country were killed. Several laboring in the Port-au-Prince area have been enlisted to help distribute provisions and provide service to Haitians in need.
The Church’s humanitarian efforts have been both broad and deeply individual and personal.
In the days following the quake, the LDS Church shipped tens of thousands of relief supplies from the United States to Haiti. Included in the provisions were those items most desperately needed by the many victims: food, blankets, tents and tarps. Meanwhile, Church-sponsored trucks laden with food, medical supplies and other items traveled from the Dominican Republic to its sister nation of Haiti.
Days after the disaster, a team of LDS doctors and nurses, along with two emotional-health specialists, arrived in Port-au-Prince, turned an LDS meetinghouse into a makeshift clinic and began treating and caring for all who sought medical assistance, regardless of church affiliation.
A news article issued by the U.S. Department of Defense chronicled the Jan. 20 arrival of the hospital ship USNS Comfort in Haiti. The Comfort generally partners with nongovernment organizations such as the LDS Church to provide professional services in times of dire need.
Spiritual support is also being offered to the many desperate for prayers, comfort and priesthood direction and leadership.
“Within just a couple hours of the quake, the [Caribbean Area] presidency had talked with both stake presidents and the mission president in Haiti,” reported public affairs missionaries Elder Daniel Mehr and Sister Rebecca Mehr. “Committees of priesthood holders have been formed, and there is daily communication with these local leaders, who are responsible for the resources of the LDS Church dedicated to Haiti. … The Saints in the Caribbean Area have all been invited to set aside extra donations in fast offerings in the next fast, which will be used for the Saints in Haiti.”
Meanwhile, several Haitian members who were injured in the quake were flown to a hospital in the Dominican Republic for treatment, the Mehrs reported.
“We have a wonderful team of priesthood leaders here that are working very hard so that our members are well cared for,” he said. “We take good care of the people so they have what they need and the help of the medical doctors who are doing a great service.”
When asked what was the most the most memorable image from his day-and-a-half visit to the ravaged city, Elder Vinas replied: “The destruction and the desperation in the eyes of the people. The look in their eyes, the look in their faces, the hopeless situation they have here with all of the destruction.”
It’s anyone’s guess when life will truly return to “normal.” No time soon. Still, Haitians are doing what they can to realize some resemblance of the routine. Barbershops are re-opening and street vendors have returned, hawking their wares. Sabbath services are planned at meetinghouses and members look forward to once again worshiping together.
jswensen@desnews.com
Flood victims in Taiwan receive LDS Church aid
Donations furnish homes built for the displaced
By Elder James Phillips and Sister Judith Phillips
Furniture, kitchen utensils and cookware to outfit 60 new temporary houses were recently presented by local leaders of the LDS Church to members of Taiwan’s Paiwan indigenous tribe. The houses are being constructed by the Taiwan government and World Vision, an international Christian relief agency, to accommodate villagers who lost their homes in floods caused by Typhoon Morakot in August.
President Terence Grimley of the Taiwan Taipei Mission formally presented the material to village leaders at a ceremony held at the Jialan community center. Dozens of tribal members attended the event. Prior to the presentation, a joint work force that included local LDS Church members, missionaries and members of the Taiwan military unloaded two trucks carrying the new furniture and kitchen supplies.
The LDS Church has joined as partner with Taiwan’s government and World Vision to ensure that the Paiwan families have comfortable temporary housing while they make plans to rebuild in their devastated mountain village.
Wen-fang Tsai and Da-yu Tsai, presidents of the LDS Church’s two branches in nearby Taitung, Taiwan, along with Elder Dennis Sparrow and Sister Mary Sparrow, LDS Church humanitarian missionaries, coordinated the purchase of the furniture and kitchenware. Funding for the project was provided by the LDS Church’s humanitarian program.
“It is my prayer that the Paiwan villagers will be able to gather their families around the tables we provide and find new strength to move forward,” said President Wen-fang Tsai of the Taitung 1st Branch, Hua Lien Taiwan District.
