The death toll in Haiti now appears to be moving towards at least one hundred thousand people. Thousands more are seriously injured. The earthquake survivors will face the deadly issues associated with lack of safe water and hygiene, food insecurity and the destruction of their homes.

The Government of Canada has established a Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund and will match donations (up to a maximum of $100,000 per single donation):

• made by individuals;
• made by groups such as schools, faith-based organizations, clubs, social groups, businesses, incorporated entities or charitable organizations, if the money is raised from individuals for the purpose of responding to the earthquake in Haiti;
• made to a registered Canadian charitable organization that is receiving donations in response to the earthquake in Haiti;
• specifically earmarked by such organizations for the purpose of responding to the earthquake;
• made between January 12 and February 12, 2010.

The Sharing Way, CBM’s relief and development department, has established a Haiti Earthquake Relief account in order to qualify. We are investigating response options through Canadian Churches in Action (CCA) and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

We anticipate that some funds (which may not be matched) will be used to support initiatives associated with Haitian Canadian churches that belong to the French Baptist Union. In addition, we will seek to support Canadian volunteer teams during the phase two recovery process from February onwards. Those interested in applying should visit http://www.cbmin.org/cbm/who-we-are1.We are also working with the North American Baptist Fellowship and their volunteer network to provide more immediate assistance.

Baptist World Aid has already committed emergency grants of $10,000 each to the Baptist Convention of Haiti and the Haiti Baptist Mission.