The earthquake on 12 January 2010 has left more than 100,000 people sleeping on the streets; many have lost relatives and friends, homes. The lack of a reliable electricity supply means that people do not store food so there is a lack of food and safe drinking water.
The Haiti Bible Society staff are all safe but, like other Haitians, they lack food and water essentials and some require medication.
Magda Victor, General Secretary of the Haiti Bible Society, Port-au-Prince, has written to the United Bible Societies Fellowship (18 January 2010):

"Dear friends,
Thank you for your prayers and expressions of sympathy. We are doing fairly well at the moment but I am still very traumatised. I have not woken up from the nightmare yet. This morning I toured the capital; our country is totally devastated. Haiti will now have to be completely rebuilt. As a Christian, I am praying in particular for the spiritual rebuilding of my country. I am asking God to give me the strength to participate in that task. Mass evacuations are taking place, people are going abroad, those who cannot do so are heading to the countryside. As for me, I must remain where I am called to work".

The United Bible Societies hope to raise €400,000 for humanitarian and spiritual aid. Funds will be used to ensure that Bible Society staff are cared for so that they are able to resume their ministry and support the humanitarian effort.

The Haiti Bible Society will work in partnership with Compassion International to provide 50,000 gallons of emergency water and with Water Missions International in Haiti to build 10 permanent, self-sustaining water treatment systems that will give 50,000 Haitians safe drinking water, wastewater management and storm water control as well as much needed specially selected Scripture portions and Bibles in order to alleviate the suffering of at least 250,000 earthquake victims.

The Dominican Republic Bible Society is organising a shipment of food and medicines to the border where the staff of the Haiti Bible Society can take delivery.

A new Bible House was opened in Port-au-Prince in 2008. In the earthquake the roof was cracked and the building will have to be assessed to ensure that the building is safe before the staff can begin to retrieve valuable Scriptures for distribution.

We know that people have already been generous in their support for the people of Haiti but if you would like to contribute to the Bible Societies Haiti Fund please contact Judy at +353 1 6773272.