Miami, Florida, United States….[Libna Stevens/IAD]
As chaos erupts in the wake of Haiti’s Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s presidential resignation, looting and other violent activities in the capital city of Port-au-Prince have affected Haitian Adventist Hospital and the Adventist university, both minutes away from the city’s downtown.
According to Pastor Israel Leito, president for the church in Inter-America, who has been in contact with church leaders in Port-au-Prince, there was looting yesterday in the vicinity of the hospital and university.
“There has not been anything serious. The guard at the institution was attacked and his weapon taken, medicines were taken from the hospital, a pick-up truck was stolen, as well as things from the print shop and our packing company and ADRA office there,” says Leito. “Thus far, everything seems to be under control, union officials inform me.” He adds that the university was closed for the day and no reports of casualties among church members have been reported. However, he says that because of the increase in car-jacking, everyone is either on foot or is using public transportation. Church services will continue as scheduled on Sabbaths.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is in the process of getting containers ready with medicines and clothing to be shipped to Haiti, according to Wally Amundson, ADRA director for Inter-America. “We are waiting for official indication on when the port [in Haiti] will be ready to receive and clear goods,” he says.
“Cash reserves have been set aside for emergency response there and will be available to them tomorrow,” says Amundson. The funds will be used for the purchase of food and items of necessity, and the transporting of such items locally.
The print shop, packing company and ADRA office are next to the Adventist hospital and university, while the union church office is located on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.
