Press release - 15 January 2010

visionnetwork urges Kiwis to support Haiti

visionnetwork, New Zealand Christian Network, is urging Kiwis to respond generously to the disaster in Haiti, which is reeling from the largest earthquake to hit the Caribbean in 200 years, resulting in an estimated 50,000 dead and countless injured.

visionnetwork is the New Zealand member of the World Evangelical Alliance, which is calling on Christians globally to pray for survivors and to generously support WEA members engaged in the massive relief and rescue effort.

National Director Glyn Carpenter said Kiwis are known for their willingness to respond to situations like this, which sadly in recent years have all too frequently hit nations least able to cope.

Many Christian NGOs have been working hard in recent years to assist development in Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere.

Bishop Gerald A. Seale, General Secretary of the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean, said the earthquake has had a devastating impact on that progress.

“The social and material gains made in the past two to three years have been totally wiped out by this earthquake,” he said.

“As Christian NGOs gear up for a major response in the next few days we need to give sacrificially and pray – pray for the injured and for those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. Pray for all in Haiti dealing with shock and loss. Pray for the responders as they work in trying circumstances to help those most in need. Pray for the Government of Haiti as they seek to respond in conditions that are unprecedented for them. Pray for the pastors and leaders as they minister in these extreme conditions.”

WEA member TEAR Fund is among the many aid agencies responding to the crisis. It said many people remained trapped under the rubble, while the widespread damage to infrastructure was hampering efforts to bring aid to survivors.

International Director of the WEA, Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, also called on the WEA family worldwide to support the people of Haiti.

“Please pray for the Christians and local churches as they will be on the forefront of responding to the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of hundreds of thousands of people. We would also ask that you would give generously and support the WEA members who are actively involved in responding to the crisis,” he said.

ENDS

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