HAITIAN-AMERICAN HURRICANE RESPONSE -- INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE, SEPTEMBER 20th 2008 & NATIONAL CONVENTION, OCTOBER 10-12 2008.

In the midst of agonizing costs and shortages and fresh from a food riots, Haitians are suddenly also suffering the ravages of hurricanes. Four hurricanes – Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike -- have hit Haiti over the past three weeks. Wind, rain and rising waters have destroyed much of this year’s harvest, the peasants’ cattle, crops and spirit.

According to government officials, first responders and news agencies, over 500 have been killed, one million are homeless, 70,000 are in shelters, and 600,000 are helpless, including 300,000 children. The storms swirled over the whole country, dumped massive amounts of rain, blew down orchards and forests, swamped and destroyed homes, bridges, marketplaces, and businesses. Everywhere, there are livestock carcasses, wrecked and abandoned vehicles, overturned boats, uprooted trees, downed power lines, and flooded roads. A pastor in coastal Gonaives stated: “There is no food, no water, and no clothes. We haven't found anything to eat in two, three days. Nothing at all”.

“The challenge is not only Mother Nature, but the unpreparedness, the failure to redress reforestation, water management – lakes, ponds -- and unaccountability of resources made available, said Dr. Bernier Lauredan, President of the Haitian League (THL)”.

The Haitian League is combining an emergency response with a long-term sustainable development solution of lakes excavation, water management and reforestation through our noted and well-respected partners Vakansitil. Two development specialists from Haiti representing THL-Haiti and “Les Petit Freres and Petites Soeurs de L’Incarnation” will be available to the public and the press.

First, the League urges Americans to pray for Haiti, and all Haitian American organizations to hold special interfaith prayer and fundraising services during September for Haitian storm survivors. For its part, the League will convene an Ecumenical Service for New Jersey residents on Saturday September 20, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Inmani Baptist Church of Christ, 113 Elmwood Avenue, East Orange, NJ. It has also launched plans for a service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. later this month.

Second, these activities are coupled to the October 10-12 National Convention of Haitian-Americans (www.thlnet.org), whose primary goals are to "Identify the Untapped Potential of the Haitian-American Market" including concerns about tackling Haiti’s underdevelopment -- rescuing people, reforesting Haiti, relocating cities and towns, and storm-proofing the food supply and national economy.

In addition to your prayers, please make a tax deductible contribution by check to the Disaster Relief Fund for Haiti, c/o The Haitian League, 22 Ball Street, Irvington, New Jersey 07111 or securely Donate online