As aid and relief organizations poured into the devastated regions of Haiti, the Caribbean Conference of Churches applauded the “heroic efforts of all concerned,” but also urged the international community to look beyond emergency response toward “genuine development co-operation.”
“Without such a thrust, we shall continue — for decades to come — addressing symptoms and not root causes of a deep-seated social malady,” wrote General Secretary Gerard Granado in a statement sent to member churches and ecumenical partners. He suggested the earthquake was merely a catalyst; the widespread devastation was caused by decades of poverty leading to “an overcrowded city with weak and compromised structures” that was easily leveled when a 7.0 earthquake struck on Jan. 12.
The conference represents 33 denominations and regional groups including a handful of national Presbyterian churches in 34 territories across the region.
