wfn.org | Mission agency calls for action on Haiti

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

March 29, 2004	News media contact: Linda Bloom7(646)369-37597New York7
E-mail: newsdesk@umcom.org 7 ALL-AA-HIS-I-RM{135}

NOTE: For additional coverage of the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries meeting, see UMNS stories #137-138. Photographs are available with
this report at http://umns.umc.org.

By Linda Bloom*

STAMFORD, Conn. (UMNS) - Expressing continued concern for the people of
Haiti, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has called the
denomination to action on behalf of the Caribbean nation.

In a resolution approved during their March 22-25 spring meeting, board
directors pointed to the need for more humanitarian aid, increased awareness
by United Methodists of the critical situation in Haiti, and the development
of strategies that promote peace through economic development, reconciliation
initiatives and civic education.

The Rev. Randy Day, the board's chief executive, spoke about the mission
agency's commitment to justice, freedom and peace in Haiti and how the board
could respond to needs there during his address to directors.

Violence and armed conflict resulted in the resignation and departure of
Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Feb. 28. "In recent weeks, we
have again been confronted with civil disorder in Haiti, where lives have
been lost and where our vigorous (Volunteers in Mission) program has been
disrupted and sustained humanitarian programs jeopardized," Day said.

The agency will continue working with the Methodist Church in Haiti, which
has detailed development plans. Top priorities in response to the current
crisis include assisting with education through the church's network of
schools; providing emergency medical care, both for people directly affected
by violence and those in need in rural areas; and providing training to
develop a pastoral ministry for trauma victims.

Kristen Sachen, a United Methodist Committee on Relief staff member, visited
Methodist leaders in Haiti earlier in the month. Educating future generations
is the only hope for the creation of a civil society in Haiti, the church
leaders told her. They estimate that 1,200 families involved in one of their
projects will be unable to afford school fees of $250 each because of the
current crisis.

A district of the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas, the
Haitian church has established a substantial system of both elementary and
high schools and has published books in French and Creole. The church also
has helped develop a corps of educators and leaders.

Day pointed out that the cost of the school fees, emergency medical care and
trauma training is "relatively low," especially in terms of the benefits to
Haitians.

The church also has other long-established, successful projects, such as the
hot lunch program, which provides 16,877 students with meals at 93 schools,
mostly in rural areas. But in 2003, only a little less than half of the
$480,000 needed annually for the program was raised, meaning cutbacks in the
months ahead. Information on this and other United Methodist Advance projects
in Haiti is available online at http://gbgm-umc.org/advance.

In an additional action, board directors noted that "questions about the
circumstances surrounding the change of power and the departure of President
Aristide remain unanswered." They asked Day "to use appropriate means to seek
answers to these questions."

Board directors already have filed a petition urging General Conference, the
denomination's top legislative body, to adopt a resolution calling for better
treatment of Haitian asylum seekers by the U.S. government. General
Conference meets April 27-May 7 in Pittsburgh.

The Board of Global Ministries is encouraging a comprehensive denominational
response to the Haiti crisis through donations to the United Methodist
Committee on Relief Advance No. 418325, Haiti Civil Emergency. 

Checks can be dropped in church collection plates or mailed directly to 475
Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Credit-card donations can be
made by calling (800) 554-8583.

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*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.

 
 

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org