What Is Most Needed in Haiti Right Now?

Interesting! I just learned from a missionary in Haiti that it costs a lot more to get some rice in that was donated than it does to go to the street market and just buy it outright. Rice and beans are readily available at the street markets where they can buy it cheaper locally and avoid shipping costs, plus customs fees and hassles associated with getting aid into the country. Purchasing directly from the street market not only speeds rice and bean delivery, but also helps support local Haitians and rebuild the economy.

Here's another tip: If you know of people who are collecting things to send to Haiti, like rice and canned beans, try to steer them to other items, such as the tents, sheets, baby formulas, etc. Tents are not easy to find and are selling for $120 a piece - so much for aid to Haiti. Although tents are best, a 10 x 10 waterproof tarp is better than nothing to try and keep people dry during the rainy season.

There is little or no medical help in Haiti now for the basic needs of ill people. Please do whatever you can to continue to support getting medical aid into Haiti. It is sorely needed.


The above photo is typical of the air immediately following the quake. On-scene witness: "It was as if an air raid had happened and everything was destroyed. The sounds were of screaming and wailing masses of people. I don't think a soul was silent after this event."


Like most photos of the devastation after the earthquake, you look at it and try to understand what it was. Large buildings and most major landmarks were destroyed, so it is not easy to navigate some areas of downtown without wondering if you are lost. When flying into the capitol, there are no more obvious landmarks that always dotted the skyline and made you know this was Port-au-Prince. Now the scene is unreal and nothing is familiar any more.


Many churches and cathedrals were destroyed, but the people flock to the streets in front of their churches and worship. There are local neighborhood services going on every day of the week somewhere. They are praying for their country to change for the better and for the masses to repent of their sins.

Spiritual and emotional needs are very high with the constant see-saw of good and bad news - discovering a friend still alive, learning another perished in the disaster. Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and earnestly pray for and support the missionaries and aid workers who labor on and on.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of people quietly going about their business, serving Haitian people by putting the Haitian person first. They don’t have an agenda or anything to gain. These are the true heroes in Haiti. Pray that they find supernatural strength to keep going, in spite of the monumental work that lies in front of them, and continue to joyfully allow the unselfish love of Jesus to shine through them, spreading infectious cheer and courage to the people of Haiti. Will you join in prayer?