Sunday, January 17, 2010

Samaritan's Purse Response to the Crisis in Haiti

I know I am likely several days late with this information as many of you have already made generous donations to excellent relief agencies to help with the crisis in Haiti. But if you still feel inclined to help out through financial donations to a relief agency I think Samaritan's Purse is a superb choice. Because of these 10 reasons listed below we have donated to SP for relief to the crisis in Haiti.

1) They have already 21 team members on the ground.
2) By the end of the week they will have materials to build 6000 temporary shelter.
3) They have cargo planes coming and going daily.
4) Samaritan's Purse receives a 4 star rating (highest possible) from Charity Navigator (a charity rating service). Their efficiency rating surpasses American Red Cross and World Vision. 89% of their donations go directly to program expenses (in this case relief efforts to Haiti if so designated). Less than 5% go to administration.
5) We have been to their headquarters in Boone, NC and were astounded by their organization, professionalism, expertise, humility, and Christ focused attitude.
6) SP will have the ability in the next week to produce half-a-million gallons of fresh water daily in the capital city of Haiti.
7) Scott Reichenbach our Post-Resident Coordinator with Samaritan's Purse who we communicate with weekly has been put in charge of coordinating the medical response team to the crisis in Haiti.
8) SP's donor services often call their donor's directly to thank them for their donation (I found this out from several of our donors). They really care about their donors. Easy online donations are available at www.samaritan'spurse.org
9) World Medical Mission (SP's medical arm) has a medical team of 7 going in on Monday and WMM already has relationships with Haitian Christian Mission Hospitals in which to coordinate medical care.
10) The aid (bottled water, shelter, flash lights, food, medicine, hygiene kits, medical care) all comes wrapped in the Gospel message of a God who despite the horror of this tragedy cares for you.

7 comments:

Megan N said...

SP is an excellent organization and we were very impressed when we go to tour the Denver hub of the Christmas Shoeboxes in November.

Anonymous said...

Excellent information and a top notch organization. We need to be looking at an organization who is already established there, who is accountable with their money, who will be there for the long haul, and who shares Jesus with a hurting, vulnerable people. SP is that organization for sure.

Thank you,
Kathy

Unknown said...

Really glad that you posted this! I'm the treasurer of the Christian Fellowship Club at school, and we're about to transition to next year's leadership. Anyway, we ended up with more money than we anticipated and the president of the club suggested making a donation to Haitian relief projects...he suggested Red Cross, but I gave him this information about Samaritan's Purse. Thanks! Hope you're all doing well!
Love, Rachel

Anonymous said...

I have been telling others the same thing. I am also suggesting Children of the Promise, since they are expecting prices to rise drastically and be in short supply of fuel, etc. It also looks like a bunch of their kids who have adoptive parents inthe States will get to come home quickly--praying.Mom

Anonymous said...

Children of the Promise was one of my concerns when I heard about the earthquake. I visited there website by saw no updated information. I pray the staff and children are safe (I saw other missionaries on the news being evacuated by US military because they believed it was not safe). What implications does this have for the adoption of haitian children..does it speed up or delay the process? I imagine there will be a surge in people looking to adopt haitian children.

Malin

Anonymous said...

Children of the Promise was one of my concerns when I heard about the earthquake. I visited there website by saw no updated information. I pray the staff and children are safe (I saw other missionaries on the news being evacuated by US military because they believed it was not safe). What implications does this have for the adoption of haitian children..does it speed up or delay the process? I imagine there will be a surge in people looking to adopt haitian children.

Malin

Megan said...

I'd love to hear anything you know about COTP too. We've been involved with them for several years and worked in Haiti quite a bit over the years. I imagine that this situation will halt all adoptions since the government is basically shut down and the US Embassy is focused on citizens' welfare. I've thought about the adoptive parents that were in the final stages of their adoptions only to have this happen and be stuck for who knows how long.