As of May 11, Presbyterians have given more than $9.57 million to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for its relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.

That money has been used for 15 food and water distribution sites, thousands of temporary shelters and more than 35,000 hygiene and baby kits, said the Rev. Jon Brown, director of Mission Interpretation. He presented the update to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly Mission Council during its May 13 meeting.

PDA continues to work with its ecumenical and international partners, including Church World Service, ACT Alliance, the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, the Medical Benevolence Foundation, Joining Hands Against Hunger and the PC(USA)’s Haiti Mission Network.

“We’re trying to listen carefully to our Haitian partners,” Brown said, adding that they must be the ones to shape the recovery efforts.

PDA is also working on several projects:

  • organizing a community-based psychosocial program
  • assessing the capacity and need for volunteer mission teams
  • planning orientation for mission team leaders
  • working on ongoing recovery efforts with its partners

The PC(USA) is preparing educational, interpretive and devotional resources on Haiti, Brown said. “Walking with Haiti, Walking with Christ” should be available online this fall.

PDA is also looking into organizing training sessions in Miami, to be held in partnership with Haitian immigrant communities there, Brown said.