Looking at Ruth over the last few weeks we have seen how unfair life can be, especially when disaster strikes. Naomi and Ruth were forced to move because of famine and when all hope seemed to have been lost - God provided. In the last few days Hurricane Matthew has devasted Haiti; tearing down what little infrastructure was left, bringing despair to the desperate and pain to those already suffering. It can seem like there is little we can do. However, we want to pray for our brothers and sisters and respond practically by lifting an offering that will go directly to Tearfund's Emergency Appeal.

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:40

Tearfund and local partners are already at work in Haiti after the devastation of Hurricane Matthew.

Haiti’s latest hurricane is ‘the worst in over 50 years’. It has left a trail of catastrophic damage in the nation, with torrential rain and powerful winds. The current devastation includes widespread flooding and landslides. 

Between 3 and 5 million people have been affected, with many thousands of homes destroyed, along with schools and other key infrastructure. Many farms and much of the nation's harvest have been destroyed.

Trail of devastation.

‘This is the worst hurricane in Haiti for over half a century,’ says Jean-Claude Cerin, Tearfund’s Country Representative for Haiti. ‘It’s been devastating for thousands of Haiti’s very poorest. The nation is still vulnerable after the major earthquakes of 2010 and this has come as a terrible blow to the people there.’

Tearfund on the ground

Tearfund has been at work in Haiti for more than 30 years, especially in many of the poorest and most vulnerable areas. Along with our local partner organisations, we have been working hard to make communities more robust – better able to withstand the effects of disasters like this.  However there is still a huge need for emergency aid and assistance. Right now the key needs identified are:

• Safe access to food and fresh water with flooding and food stocks destroyed. 
• Assistance with hygiene and sanitation, especially while there is serious risk of a cholera outbreak.
• Shelter, with thousands of homes either destroyed or seriously damaged.
• Agriculture and livestock. Crops have been destroyed and many cattle have been washed away.