Pockets of violence and looting, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, are hindering the delivery of relief supplies, like this shipment from the Samaritan's Purse relief organization. Photo by David Uttley/Samaritans Purse/Genesis Photos

Southern Baptists’ disaster assessment team is in Haiti after a grueling trip over the mountain range that separates the island nation from the Dominican Republic to its east. The five-member team, which includes Disaster Relief Associate Coy Webb from the Kentucky Baptist Convention, is now at work setting up the logistical structures that will be needed for a prolonged Southern Baptist response to the island.

Conditions are extremely difficult and disaster relief experts are warning volunteers desiring to help to make sure they are prepared physically, psychologically and spiritually for dealing with what will be harsh conditions for the foreseeable future. Specialized teams with very specific missions will be the first to go in initially with additional work crews added in the weeks and months ahead.

Haiti will be a place in which Southern Baptists will be working for the long term — long after the cameras and reporters have left. Right now, be in prayer, give to support those who are helping on site and, if you feel called, begin preparing yourself for an upcoming opportunity for hands-on service.

Here’s the latest on the team’s arrival in Haiti from the Kentucky Baptist Convention:

Disaster Relief Team Arrives in Haiti, Begins Assessment

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – Kentucky Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Associate Coy Webb and the rest of the five-person Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team have arrived in Haiti and are now working to assess the devastation caused by last week’s 7.0 earthquake.

Currently scheduled to stay in Haiti until Jan. 25, the team’s primary goal this week is to determine how Southern Baptists can help the people of Haiti.

After arriving in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Jan. 19, the team joined missionaries from the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board and began the 160-mile journey across the island to Haiti.

According to a report from the North American Mission Board, the team spent the night at the Good Samaritan Hospital in the border town of Jimani, Dominican Republic, before finishing the journey and arriving in Port-au-Prince on Jan. 20.

In addition to Webb, the team includes Jim Brown, U.S. office director for Baptist Global Response; Don Gann, disaster relief coordinator for the Mississippi Baptist Convention; Bruce Poss of the North American Mission Board; and Ralph Shealy, medical consultant for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Upon their arrival in Port-au-Prince, the five-member team distributed supplies to an orphanage in the area and is now working to connect with Florida Baptist representatives who are also serving as initial responders. The entire Southern Baptist relief effort is being led by the Florida Baptist Convention, which has had ministry relationships for more than 20 years and has staff members stationed in the country.

Meanwhile, the KBC is keeping one medical team on standby, as well as one non-medical team of specially trained Kentucky Baptist disaster relief volunteers. According to Baptist Men on Mission Director Randy Foster, the teams could possibly be sent to Haiti as early as Jan. 25.

No additional volunteers are needed for the initial response teams at this point, said Foster, but many Kentucky Baptists will be called upon to help in the coming months and years. After the assessment takes place and a more detailed plan is in place, the KBC will communicate the need for volunteers, he said.

According to the North American Mission Board, the effort may not open to other disaster relief teams for another 90-100 days based on the difficult logistics and conditions surrounding the disaster.

Kentucky Baptists desiring to help are encouraged to give monetary donations through the KBC’s fund designated for the Haiti relief effort. Contributions may be sent to the KBC, P.O. Box 856300, Dept. 124, Louisville, KY 40285-9900. Please note “Haiti Earthquake” in the check memo. Online donations are also being accepted at www.kybaptist.org/dr.

Trained Kentucky Baptist disaster relief volunteers interested in serving on a team once opportunities become available are being asked to express their interest by emailing cindy.henderson@kybaptist.org. Volunteers should indicate their availability, contact information and what type of volunteer work they are able to do.

Kentucky Baptists are part of a larger network of Southern Baptist volunteers trained to respond to disasters by manning mass feeding operations, using chainsaws to clear downed trees and limbs, clear mud out of flooded homes and more. Together, Southern Baptists comprise the third largest relief organization in the United States.

To learn more about Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, go to www.kybaptist.org/dr.

The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of nearly 2,400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative offices in Louisville, Ky. including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more.  For more information, visit www.kybaptist.org.

– Robert Reeves