Aid to Haiti continues; a Christian group hopes shipping delays will help them.

By November 2, 2004

Haiti (MNN)–Civil disorder in Haiti tops our news today. With the massive flooding in the North, humanitarian aid is plentiful. The challenge is in getting it there since fighting in the South erupted.

Three weeks of violence left more than 60 dead, between rebels and police forces. Meanwhile, people looted a aid trucks in storm-ravaged Gonaives.

The desperation and chaos forced several aid groups to pull back and wait for peacekeepers to settle things down again. Many aid groups are watching for a more permanent settling before moving in.

That’s not the case with folks from OMS International’s laymen’s voice. Men For Missions’ Bill Evans says they’re packing a container of relief supplies this week.

An appeal in the U-S netted supplies that included rice, beans and other survival needs. Teams are packing a container this week in the hopes of getting it out soon.

Evans hopes the delays inherent to shipping will help them. “My understanding is that’ll take about 20 to 30 days. So, we anticipate that by very early December, that container will be there. That’s why we think that maybe some of the violence and the uprising will be squelched.”

Cooperation from ministries in Haiti opens the door for new outreach. Evans explains that, “We’re working with the missionaries to try and determine how we can partner–we, as concerned Americans, or anyone, for that matter, that wants to go and help with humanitarian efforts. So, we’re working closely with them to consider our distribution opportunities, and just friendship evangelism opportunities that would go with that.”

Pray that the government will disregard the usual fee for bringing supplies into Haiti. Discernment is also needed as to when and how to deliver donated items to victims.

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