LCMS World Relief and Human Care's Rev. Glenn F. Merritt is asking people eager to lend a helping hand in Haiti to provide their contact information so they can be contacted when volunteers are needed in the weeks and months to come in the earthquake-devastated country.

“We are so very thankful for your willingness to volunteer at this time, but the logistics and the situation in Haiti aren't yet right for sending volunteers. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti, nor the country of Haiti itself, is equipped to handle general volunteers at this time,” said Merritt, LCMS WR-HC director of Disaster Response, on Thursday, who described the situation in Haiti as changing by the hour. “How volunteers can be most helpful right now is to send us your information so we can contact you when the time is right.”

Volunteer registration

The Synod's mercy arm is working with partner ministries to facilitate a future volunteer effort by collecting the names of people who want to help with what will be a massive recovery and rebuilding effort after the January 12 earthquake that has killed thousands. If you are interested in volunteering in Haiti, please complete the volunteer form.

LCMS WR-HC will not be sending volunteers to the Caribbean nation, but Merritt is collecting names for partner Lutheran mission societies that have a history of working in Haiti that will organize volunteer efforts. Merritt stressed that volunteers not go to Haiti alone, but volunteer through a reputable society already working in Haiti.

“Please know that because of the hundreds of thousands of people living on the streets [in Port-au-Prince] with nothing to eat or drink and no medical care, now is not the time to send volunteers other than highly trained medical professionals and first-responders,” Merritt said. “But we do want to hear from volunteers so they can be contacted when their help will be much needed.”

Merritt said he is touched by the many people contacting him and wanting to help suffering Haitians.

Medical volunteer registration

There is, however, a need for medical professionals in Haiti. An LCMS World Relief and Human Care Emergency Mercy Medical Team (MMT) is currently serving in Jacmel, Haiti. An emergency MMT served Haitian refugees on the Haiti-Dominican Republic border within a week following the earthquake.

Two more MMTs are scheduled to serve in Haiti in the coming months; one leaving on Feb. 13 and the other scheduled for March 11-21. To learn more and register for a MMT, visit www.lcms.org/mercyteams.

“The response from medical professionals eager to serve with an MMT has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic,” said LCMS WR-HC Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner.

To learn more about Mercy Medical Teams, visit www.lcms.org/mercyteams. Click here to fill out a volunteer application and be notified of upcoming service opportunities.

Volunteers are asked to send an e-mail to mercymedical@lcms.org including their name, dates of availability, and specialty.