Press Releases

Haitians suffer in the midst of food insecurity

The current food crisis in the Republic of Haiti stems from rapidly rising food prices fueled by the worldwide oil crisis.  The price of rice and beans, which are staples in Haiti, has risen dramatically in the past few months.  Rice has more than doubled in price in the last 120 days, affecting every one of the more than 100,000 Nazarenes in the country. Six percent of the membership of the Church of the Nazarene live in Haiti. 

Last week rioting broke out across Haiti. Several people lost their lives as hungry people attacked their vehicles looking for food. Last week, the prime minister of Haiti was removed from office. There are rumors that other high government offices are being forcibly vacated. Haiti’s president, René Préval, met with the rice importers and promised a 15 percent reduction in the price of rice. This has calmed down much of the country. 

For the past year, Rev. Walliere Pierre, NCM Coordinator for Haiti, has helped the church in Haiti raise money to be used in times of disaster. Rev. Bill Dawson, Haiti Field Strategy Coordinator, has been working with Rev. Pierre and NCM to develop a plan to respond to the food shortage. 
  
The food crisis has also impacted the Nazarene seminary. The seminary is one of six in the entire country authorized by the government to offer the Bachelor of Theology Degree. Even before the latest food price increases, approximately 50 percent of the seminary’s annual budget was used to feed the students. Now, the seminary is struggling to give three meals a day to the students in residence there. 

The mission employees have been hit hard by these food prices as well. The church recently gave them each a bag of rice, a gallon of oil, and a gallon of beans.

Pastors have been hit especially hard by the food shortage. Every District Superintendent in Haiti serves voluntarily. Many of the pastors have little or no regular salary. The vegetable growing season has just started, so it is hard for them to fall back on the income generated from selling this produce.

“We must stand with our church family in Haiti during this time,” World Mission Director Dr. Louie E. Bustle said. “We need to remember to bless others with the gifts God has given us.”

Please continue to pray for the church in Haiti and the leaders in the church who are working feverishly to help alleviate the crisis.

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation can mark their checks “Haiti Food Relief NCMPRHT08” and mail them to Global Treasury Services, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2008

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• On-line using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express
• OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
• and mail to:
  General Treasurer
  6401 The Paseo
  Kansas City, MO 64131
• In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
• and mail to:
  Church of the Nazarene Canada
  20 Regan Road, Unit 9
  Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

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