Since the US State Department issued an updated Travel Warning on December 28, 2012, many have sent inquiries and concerns to the Haiti Response Plan regarding our mission work in Haiti.
Tom Vencuss, Project Coordinator, has issued the following statement from the office in Haiti:
"Many of you have seen the US State Department advisory regarding travel to Haiti. The State Department has maintained a travel advisory for a number of years now. From time to time it is modified or updated. We have talked with persons close to the Embassy and been told that there is nothing new in country that would pose a new threat to Americans or our teams. We also have also spoken with UMCOR leaders and they have not received any new advisories," Vencuss wrote.
"On the ground here, team safety is our first priority. Through UMCOR we receive updates on travel, weather, and other in-country issues. We maintain a contact with Pastors and church leaders in several locations, and our drivers and interpreters have a grassroots network to report on any concerns that may arise. We also provide security persons and emergency vehicles for all teams.
"Our staff has arrive and been through the airport and reports that the new entry area is beautiful, quicker to process passports, and easier to navigate," he continued.
"If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the security issues with us, please feel free to call our office. Updates as we know them will be posted to our Facebook page."
Editor's note: The Haiti office is currently experiencing some difficulty with their Internet access. If you need to reach someone in the Haiti office, please email Susan Meister in her US office, [email protected], and she will forward your question/request.
Click here to read the original text of the State Department release.