While the general church made the decision to transport General Superintendent J. K. Warrick from Haiti to Florida, he is remaining in  South Florida to help the Miami-based Caribbean Regional Office with response initiatives on behalf of the denomination. Although he was scheduled to conduct district assemblies in that nation, the disaster has forced suspension of those events.

Regional and global leaders determined that skilled respondents were necessary for an effective and efficient response to the overwhelming needs  of the devastated nation. Moving Dr. Warrick and those traveling with him  to Florida facilitates the accommodation of much-needed responders. Dr. Warrick stated he was grateful to be able pray with survivors and offer them the comfort of Christ.

The national church in Haiti has a strong indigenous leadership and has already initiated relief efforts. According to Nazarene  Compassionate Ministries (NCM), the churches in Haiti that are able are engaged and continue to respond to the needs of their respective communities with comfort, prayer, shelter, and supplies.

Relief efforts are being coordinated through NCM-Caribbean, which reports communication to and from Haiti  has been very difficult thus far. However, the effort is in motion and more  trained help is on the way.

NCM-Caribbean is encouraged by the generosity shown by many Nazarenes, such as Obed Santiesteban from the Southern Florida District. Santiesteban has offered NCM the use of his cargo company's warehouse space, as well as the company's assistance with shipping containers of  supplies to Haiti.

NCM-Caribbean wishes to share the following  message:

We've had many people E-mail and call about the need for immediate response teams after the recent earthquake in Haiti. We are grateful for your availability and willingness to help. We are continuing the process of assessing the specific needs and how the Church of the Nazarene in Haiti can best respond to this tragedy. We expect that the immediate search and recovery efforts will  take awhile before we can begin to work on longer term recovery efforts. If you are interested in being notified when response teams are needed, please E-mail ncm@caribnaz.org.

In addition, Heart to Heart International, which was founded by Nazarene Gary Morsch, sent a team of volunteers and medical supplies to the Caribbean on Wednesday evening. Several large shipments of medical aid are scheduled for the near future.

More information concerning Haiti relief efforts and additional reports will be posted to ncnnews.com as it is received.

How to Help
It is essential that the Global Church of the Nazarene continue its generous support through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to ensure critical supplies reach needy areas and can be administered to those in need.

Persons and churches wishing to make a  donation for Haiti Earthquake Relief online can do so through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at ncm.org.

Checks can be marked "Caribbean Disaster Response ACM1204 " and mailed to Global Treasury Services, P. O. Box 843116, Kansas  City, MO 64184. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church  of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

--NCN News, Caribbean Region Communications