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Haitians Seek Shelter from Rain Under Half-Destroyed Buildings, Missionary Organization Challenges Christians to Respond

Contact: Tim Rickel, World Gospel Mission, 765-671-7283

MEDIA ADVISORY, Feb. 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- According to UN agency OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), one of the biggest needs for earthquake-stricken Haiti is shelter as only 24 percent of the 1.3 million in need of shelter have it. In response, missionary-sending organization World Gospel Mission (WGM) has sent 200 heavy-duty plastic tarps to homeless earthquake survivors and are challenging Christians to join them by sending more.

Tim Rickel, Vice President of Communication, said he received this word from a missionary on the ground in Haiti: "Over one million people were made homeless after the earthquake, and they're still sleeping in tent cities or just out in the open. It is raining almost every night, forcing thousands of Haitians to seek out shelter by standing under half-destroyed buildings in order to escape the elements."

WGM is based in Marion, Indiana, and will be working with its partner ministry, Radio Lumière, in distributing the tarps. Radio Lumière, based in Port-au-Prince, is Haiti's largest Protestant radio station and is currently operating outdoors due to fears about the stability of its building. Staff members report that hundreds of people come to the station each day asking for help. Tarps are being rationed out to people who need them most.

The missionary's report continued: "Recently, a man whose home was totally destroyed came to the station. He and his wife were sleeping on the ground with a sheet draped over a few sticks. He was desperate because his wife was almost nine months pregnant and would be delivering their baby very soon. Thankfully, we were able to help him."

With expedited shipping to Port-Prince, each tarp costs $90.

He continues, "Our work in Haiti is not done yet. Sending tarps so that people can be safely protected from the rain is a great way to help."

Visit www.wgm.org/haitiquake to join in sending more plastic tarps to earthquake survivors. Donations of any amount will be used to send more of these supplies to Haiti. For more information, please visit www.wgm.org or call Tim Rickel at (765) 671-7283.

About World Gospel Mission
World Gospel Mission disciples believers to become missions-active Christians. As an interdenominational missions organization, WGM partners with individuals, small groups, college groups, and churches to intentionally address the physical and spiritual needs of individuals and communities. Learn more
here.