Seventh-day Adventist leaders are still assessing damage brought on by torrential rains in Haiti earlier this month. Severe flooding, rockslides, and landslides caused by the rain were responsible for 51 deaths, 140 injuries, almost 2,500 homes destroyed, and more than 39,000 homes flooded, according to Civil Protection Haiti. In addition, 3,500 people were evacuated and dozens are still missing.

The most affected region was in the southwest, which includes Port-au-Prince (the capital city), Léogâne, Gressier, Carrefour, and Grand Goave.

“We know of no church members who lost their lives but we have 1,101 families affected by the aftermath of the torrential rains,” said Pastor Pierre Caporal, president of the Haitian Union. Nearly 200 persons lost everything, and one pastor in Leogane only had enough time to take his passport with him, added Caporal. The flooding also damaged twelve churches and five schools in the northwest region of Haiti, he explained.

Government officials have reported that the recent floods have been the strongest the country has ever seen, submerging neighborhoods in waist-deep waters, devastating schools and hospitals just two days after hurricane season officially started on June 1. Because transportation is difficult due to washed out roads and the constant threat of gang violence in the country, aid from humanitarian agencies might take longer to be delivered, officials said.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Haiti has secured funds from ADRA Inter-America to begin an initial assistance of 200 hygiene kits for flood-affected persons in the Carrefour area in the Ouest department, according to Myrlaine Jean Pierre, ADRA Haiti country director. Priority continues to be the distribution of food, hygiene kits, and drinking water, she said.

“The situation remains challenging, and urgent assistance is needed to support the affected communities in their recovery and rebuilding efforts,” said Jean Pierre. There are reports that more than 900 livestock have perished in the communes of Baie-de Henne and Jean-Rabel; in Ouest, 95 percent of the spring agricultural harvest was washed away; in Fonds-Verrettes, 80 percent of the corn and pea plantations were destroyed; and in Léogâne, 88 percent of the banana plantations were destroyed, stated Jean Pierre.

Armed with brooms, shovels, and cleaning supplies, more than 200 young people from six local Adventist churches in the South Haiti Mission made their way to Léogâne to clear out mud from streets and homes, help wash residents’ clothes, and distribute dozens of hot meals.

Miche Jourdain, one of the dozens of young Adventists participating in the clean-up activities, said he was happy to lend a helping hand to so many affected by flooding. “We are happy to use the skills that God has given us to help others, for nothing in this world is worth more than doing good deeds for others in the name of Jesus,” said Jourdain.

Residents of the communities assisted were deeply touched and expressed their gratitude to the youth group, who were among the first group to assist them, said Pastor Gelin Pierre Fontus, district pastor in the region. The assistance was possible thanks to a partnering organization and special donors who provided cleaning supplies for the activity.

“The mission of the Adventist Church is to serve others, and it is important to undertake and participate in these activities within the community to better bear witness of the love of Christ with regard to fulfilling the mission in this world,” said Pierre Fontus.

Church leaders are in the process of delivering assistance to affected church members who lack basic immediate needs like food, water, clothes, and shelter.

In the meantime, ADRA Haiti is partnering with other international organizations to distribute food, hygiene kits, and mattresses.

The needs are still immense, including medical assistance needs and concerns of a cholera outbreak with the persistent conditions in the aftermath of the floods, civil officials said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division website.