Christian Groups Prepare 1M Meals and Scriptures for Haiti Quake Survivors

By By Brian Hutt
haiti-relief.jpg
People wait in line for water in the Cite Soleil neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the city Tuesday. With aid flowing into Haiti, relief groups and officials are focused on moving the supplies to survivors of the powerful earthquake that hit the country on Tuesday. AP Images / Gregory Bull

Hundreds of Salvation Army volunteers in the United States have spent the last few days preparing and packing one million ready-to-eat meals to send to survivors of the Haiti earthquake.

They are in addition to the 250,000 meals are already awaiting shipment from Des Moines, Iowa.

The meals, courtesy of food group Numana Inc, consist of rice, soy protein, freeze-dried vegetables and vitamins that can be cooked in boiling water.

The Salvation Army said it was liaising with other agencies to bring the food to the people in need.

“We saw a devastating earthquake strike Haiti this week,” said Lt Col Dan Starrett, Executive Director of The Salvation Army World Services Office. “Now, donor generosity is striking back.”

A Salvation Army assessment team has arrived in Haiti and will liaise with Salvation Army staff already working in the capital of Port-au-Prince, where the Christian organization has served since 1950.

Considerable damage was done to Salvation Army property in the city, including a children’s home, clinic and church building.

Tens of thousands of people are believed to have died in Tuesday’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake, but with many still trapped under the rubble, the exact toll still remains unclear. Those killed are believed to include the Catholic Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Joseph Serge Miot, and the head of the U.N.'s mission in Haiti, Hedi Annabi.

Along with food, other non-profit organizations have readied clean water, counseling services and Scripture to provide hope and peace to the victims.

American Bible Society and its partners around the world, including the Haitian Bible Society, plan to build 10 permanent, self-sustaining water treatment systems to give 50,000 Haitians clean drinking water, waste management and storm water control everyday, 200,000 copies of God is my Shelter, counseling services and prayer which will be offered by local church leaders, and some 50,000 Bibles to Haitian families.

“The devastation is great and we are ready to open the doors of our building and provide hope and healing to the people of Haiti,” said Magda Victor, director of the Haitian Bible Society. “Though individually we have suffered loss, we are grateful to be alive. Our staff is committed to our mission and we are organizing volunteers and working through partners to deliver the most needed resources but also preparing ourselves to be a distribution point for water and the hope and encouragement the Bible can provide.”

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories