"As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the people of Haiti will desperately need the help of the international community in the wake of this horrifying disaster," says Trevor Knoblich, LWR's Program Coordinator for Emergency Response. "A large response will be needed to even begin helping the people of Haiti," he adds. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti on the evening of January 12, the worst earthquake to strike the region in more than 200 years. Thousands are feared dead; the quake's epicenter was located just 10 miles from the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

Haiti, by virtue of its location and its overwhelming poverty, is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters. Before the earthquake, people were still struggling to recover from the devastation caused by a succession of tropical storms that struck Haiti in 2008, killing hundreds, causing floods, destroying crops and leaving thousands homeless. Lutheran World Relief has supported that on-going recovery effort in partnership with World Neighbors.

Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church particularly supports Lutheran World Relief to provide life-saving assistance in response to the earthquake in Haiti. Details of the emergency response will be made available as we learn more about the immediate needs on the ground. Lutheran World Relief is currently accepting donations for this response. Lutheran World Relief president John Nunes adds, "We ask that you pray for the people of Haiti and for our local partners on the ground with whom we have lost contact. Lutheran World Relief will work expeditiously to put your prayers and gifts to work to save lives in Haiti."

Donations the Haiti Earthquake fund can be made by phone at 800-LWR-LWR2, online at lwr.org, or by means of our congregation's regular offering system (noting Earthquake Relief on your envelope or check).