Relief Sent to Chile

Posted on: 03-12-2010
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As many of you know, a massive earthquake struck the South American country of Chile on February 27. Chile_under_water At a magnitude of 8.8, this earthquake measures nearly one thousand times stronger than the 7.0 quake that hit Haiti two months earlier. As in Haiti, sizeable aftershocks are still occurring in Chile. 

While Chile has a more developed economy and more solidly constructed buildings, there is a significant group of people—primarily in under-resourced rural areas—who are without shelter and in need of basic staples like food, water, blankets, etc.  The United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 200,000 are in need of temporary shelter.  Thirty percent of the communities surrounding the epicenter near the city of Concepcion do not have access to potable water or other basic services.

Willow Creek’ Community Church's global partners Bright Hope international and the Red Del Camino network both have church networks that have been directly affected or are in a position to help in this Chile1 initial relief phase.  Our disaster response team has approved $25,000 to be allocated to these two partners to empower their church partners to assist in meeting the basic needs of those directly impacted by the earthquake.

In the last few weeks, people at Willow Creek have given generously; that has made it possible for our church to participate in bringing assistance to those in Haiti. That is happening and will continue to occur with the vast majority of the sums contributed from the disaster relief fund.

Once again, we are thankful to the Willow family because you have made resources readily available enabling us to respond to people in time of need.  We are grateful our congregation has given us the freedom to replenish this fund so we can respond quickly should another such need arise. And we are thankful to have connections with local churches on the ground in affected countries that can holistically serve their neighbors in the name of Christ in such a time as this.

 

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Haiti Update – February 19

Posted on: 02-19-2010
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Many of you have heard this past week that the earthquake in Haiti may go down as the most costly natural disaster on record. On February 15, the national Civil Protection Agency estimates more than 217,000 people died as a result of the January 12 earthquake. This is the largest loss of life as a percentage of a country’s population than any recorded disaster. Other groups believe that the loss of life total is closer to 250,000. In dollar terms, the damage is estimated as high as $13.2 billion.

 

Will the Church Play its Role?

After a week spent dialoguing with several faith-based groups who are operational in Haiti, we all resonated with the possibility that the window of opportunity to rebuild a country economically and spiritually is open. But here’s the question: will the church play its role in seizing this opportunity.

 

As Willow Creek looks at our next move in Haiti, we are praying God will give us a few  communities in that country where the church is working and we may come alongside and support their efforts. In the densely populated area around the capital, Port Au Prince, near the epicenter of the quake, the area is populated with many camps (in excess of 300) hosting over a half million people. According to a U.N. report, the greatest needs pertain to shelter and sanitation. The greatest concentration of humanitarian aid appears to be pouring in to address these needs.

 

However, over a half million people have left the capital area. Some have traveled a short distance and have repopulated communities on the outskirts of the capital. Others with relatives or friends in the north and central part of the country have traveled there to find refuge.

 

Deploying Resources

While there are many options available to the disaster response team as they deploy further resources, we have been identifying areas outside the capital where the church is serving both displaced people and the permanent residences directly affected by the earthquake. These areas also tend to be outside the flow of many of the aid groups. Some of these areas are dealing with smaller camp settlements and their unique needs and some are moving from relief operations to early recovery realities. The latter involves providing income generation opportunities through micro loans or grants to begin to rebuild. This might also require tools to remove rubble.

 

As we communicate with our partner groups working with the Haitian church networks, we are prayerfully considering where we can best assist them financially.

 

Thank you for your continued prayers.

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Volunteer with Relief for Haiti

Posted on: 02-09-2010
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The Haitian people desperately need food. The Salvation Army, with a presence in Haiti for 60 years, is seeking to send one million meals to distribute to the people in Haiti.  If you are interested in investing two hours, consider being part of a meal-packing experience on February 20/21 at the Elgin/Carpentersville branch of the Salvation Army.

This event will be similar to the meal packing Willow Creek Community Church did during Celebration of Hope.

Sign up. When you sign up, be sure to put Willow Creek in the organization area.

The Salvation Army
316 Douglas Avenue
Elgin, IL.  60120

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Haiti Update February 5, 2010

Posted on: 02-05-2010
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By empowering our partner organizations, progress continues to be made to assist people in Haiti who are in great need.

Initial Response Update

During the first week of the aftermath of the earthquake, Willow Creek Community Church was able to be a part of the emergency response. Our funding of $100,000 enabled Water Missions International to move water filtration systems into the immediately affected areas of Haiti. Water systems installed near hospitals, universities, and locations where people have congregated for help, are now providing up to 5,000 people with water on a daily basis.

Phase Two Summary

In the second week, we gave an additional $100,000 to two groups that are serving their communities. This decision allowed churches and faith-based groups, as well as local medical care facilities, to receive food, medical supplies, water, and hygiene kits. A church network in the Dominican Republic received $50,000 and they are now trucking supplies across the border into churches in Haiti. The water they are supplying comes from the water systems Willow Creek funded through last year’s Celebration of Hope initiative! Another $50,000 went to G.O. Ministries, an organization that is airlifting supplies into areas where few, if any, resources are being delivered.

Willow’s Strategy in Supporting Haiti

Thanks to our congregation’s generous support of these efforts, we continue to look at ways to implement our strategy. We desire to serve Haitian churches and faith-based networks that are not receiving help from other relief groups.

The UN estimates that over 500,000 people are fleeing the capital—and the number may reach one million soon. As we talk with our contacts on the field, we hear there are needs for the following:

  • Food. Unfortunately prospects for an impending poor harvest is being discussed.
  • Shelter–tents and plastic sheeting for temporary housing before the April rainy season arrives.
  • Latrines to avoid the spreading of disease.

Our team has been busy networking this week to respond to these requests, but we’ve found that they may take more time as some of these items are not available locally. This week we procured several hundred large family sized tents at discounted costs. They will ship with Bright Hope International, an organization that has church partners trying to serve their communities.

Keeping Resources in Reserve

Part of our current thinking is to keep some resources in reserve for the reconstruction phase of Haiti. This is often the time when sustainability for the future is addressed, but resources are less available because much was spent in the early emergency relief phase. Willow Creek’s disaster response team will continue to monitor the situation in determining the appropriate amount to deploy in the relief/recovery phase and what to reserve for reconstruction.

 

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Haiti Update – January 25, 2010

Posted on: 01-25-2010
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Water Crisis

In times of crisis, clean water is one of the highest priorities because when it comes to survival, water is more important than food. Proper sanitation and cooking all require clean water, and without it, disease and dehydration can run rampant.

Even before the earthquake in Haiti, many of the functioning water filtration systems were old and fragile. Now with so many of those systems destroyed, the urgent need for water has increased. As a result, Willow Creek has come alongside Water Missions International to support them in their efforts to provide 100 water filtration systems for Haiti.

Read more about the prioritization of water in this story in the Washington Post.

Systems Have Arrived

As of Wednesday, January 20, 12 water systems were on the ground in Haiti delivered through Water Missions International – with another 20 systems on their way.

Three systems have been installed at a local University in Carrefour, just outside Port-Au-Prince. More than 20,000 displaced people, affected by the quake, are currently living in the university compound.  These displaced people are benefiting from the safe drinking water.  WMI’s goal is to extend the provision of safe water to another 8,000 people in a village behind the university compound who were also affected by the earthquake. 

Another system has been installed near the General Hospital, the largest hospital in Port-au-Prince. It was placed on top of a large cistern that serves as the hospital’s water source. A distribution tap was also set up on one of the streets inside the hospital compound in order to provide easy access to fresh water by all.  Security is provided inside and outside of the hospital by the US 82nd Airborne to ensure proper distribution.

The production team at Water Missions International, based out of Charleston, SC, is now working two shifts daily to keep up with the demand.

In addition to local partners, Water Missions is serving relief organizations such as Samaritans Purse, Operation Blessing, Food for the Poor, and World Relief.

Disaster Relief Fund

If you believe God is leading you to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund, donate online, or write a check, placing “Disaster Relief” in the subject line, and place your check into the offering at one of the weekend services, or mail it to: 
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Road
South Barrington, IL  60010. 

Willow Creek Community Church will provide weekly updates on our Disaster Relief efforts by utilizing our Compassion and Justice blog. Please note that every Friday afternoon a new up-to-date story will be posted.

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