An initial contribution of $15,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Haiti Relief funds has been sent to IMA World Health, a longtime American Baptist International Ministries (IM) partner, and Dr. Steve and Nancy James, IM medical missionaries in Haiti.  The funds will be used to purchase life-saving medical supplies to slow the spread of cholera in Haiti, including: antibiotic bottles, oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets, latex gloves for health care workers and antibacterial soap.

 The supplies sent via IMA were already delivered to a local hospital in Saint Marc where they report that tents are set up in a courtyard to handle the overflow of infected patients.

According to a report from the United Press International (UPI), cholera is increasing in Haiti amid fears of flooding from last week's Hurricane Tomas. This will mean even more cases from drinking contaminated water, officials say. Haiti's health ministry said the cholera death toll stood at 583 on Tuesday, and 9,123 Haitians have been hospitalized. Cholera is a highly contagious, deadly bacterial infection that can be fatal within hours.

Haitian and international health officials admit that the epidemic is growing and has not peaked. "We are on a rise," Christian Lindmeier, spokesman for the World Health Organization in Haiti, said. "The figures will climb."

An urgent call went out yesterday from IM for volunteer nurses to serve in North Haiti with Dr. Steve and Nancy James as they are overwhelmed with people in need of treatment, according to Angela Sudermann, IM coordinator of Volunteers in Global Missions.  Angela urges nurses who can quickly modify their work schedules to inquire about this need by calling 1-800-222-3872, ext. 2304.

The situation gets worse every day, according to IM missionary in Haiti, Nzunga Mabudiga. “On Monday, one of the small community health centers (where the Jameses serve) had 25 cases of cholera. On Tuesday, we had 60 cases. We thank God that we have not lost a patient, however our stock of serums is running low.” 

“We have been working with Rev. Joel Dorsainville, Coordinator of Disaster Relief Services for the Haitian Baptist Convention, updating and coordinating efforts within the churches of Haiti,” commented Steve.

Donations are being sought to purchase emergency medical supplies and can be made through the IM website: www.internationalministries.org/items/80, Or donors can donate by check  to “OGHS – Haiti Relief” and mail to: International Ministries, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851.  Support can also be given by American Baptists through their church by making checks payable to the church with “One Great Hour of Sharing – Haiti Relief” written in the memo section.  These gifts will be sent from the church through the American Baptist region and then to International Ministries.

One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the General Board.  The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

American Baptist International Ministries, organized in 1814, is the first Baptist Mission organization formed in North America. We serve more than 1,800 short-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in more than 70 countries to tell the good news of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs.