Media Inquiries
02/09/10 Press Release - Download in MS Word
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Clark Osborn
relief@relieftrain.org
cell: 608-334-3611
Wisconsin Responds to Needs in Haitian Refugee Camps
Relief Container Project Brings Faith Based
Communities
Together for Refugee Camps in Haiti
Madison, WI – February 9, 2010 – Haiti relief projects are now shifting from emergency mode into a focus on sustaining life and health in refugee camps. More than a dozen faith-based organizations are working to source, fill, and ship containers of supplies to support refugee camps in St Marc, Haiti. The vision of the “Haiti Relief Train” is to fill not just one but many containers of relief supplies including medical, food, clothing, and shelter materials from south-central Wisconsin. The first of these containers is being staged in a Madison area warehouse and is due to leave by the end of this month.
The Wisconsin group is working with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) – Haiti, a non-denominational NGO that has been in Haiti for over 25 years. YWAM - Haiti has organized local officials and church leaders to draft and implement a strategic plan to receive up to 6,000 refugees in the city of St Marc. This plan has the approval of the UN and Haitian government and includes refugee identification cards and strict financial and material accountability.
One challenge for many of the Haitian relief efforts has been the slow distribution of goods and operating overhead of the relief organizations. “Every point between Wisconsin and Haiti is staffed by volunteers, so not a dime goes towards payroll and administration” says Clark Osborn, a local coordinator of the Haiti Relief Train project. “In addition, there are proven receiving and distribution methods at the port in St Marc and we have verified that YWAM Haiti relief containers are expedited when they arrive”.
A large-scale collection of items is expected on Sunday, February 14, at participating locations. Go to ReliefTrain.org for the list of locations, items needed, and information about how to make a tax deductible donation. For more information contact relief@relieftrain.org.
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CONTACT:Clark Osborn
relief@relieftrain.org
cell: 608-334-3611
