As MCC plans the next steps in its multiyear response to the Haiti earthquake, MCC medical teams and structural engineers are providing immediate assistance, relief kits and other supplies are being distributed and more aid is being shipped.
As followers of Jesus Christ, members of the Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and Amish congregations are aware of the importance of standing with those who are suffering and caring for their needs. Sharing resources is one concrete way to signal this awareness and desire to respond. The response is rooted in thankfulness and obedience to Christ. The underlying principles of compassion, mutual respect, partnership, and search for peace and justice for all people applies equally to the utilization of all MCC resources: people, money, food and material resources.
When is a material resource intervention necessary and appropriate?
In the event of a natural disaster, war or conflict, and economic and political injustices, emergency material aid intervention may be required for some communities. In addition to emergency relief and refugee settings, material resources may be appropriately used in institutions such as hospitals, orphanages and prisons, where people often depend on contributions to survive; to meet the needs of those among the poor who have the fewest resources; in development programs; and when material gifts are tangible ways to stand with people experiencing oppression, natural disaster or war.
What kind of material resource response is appropriate?
MCC places a priority on purchasing materials in-country or in the region if surpluses of appropriate commodities are available at prices comparable to world prices plus shipping expenses. Nearly all MCC responses will contain both locally purchased materials and resources sent from Canada, the United States, and Europe. Material resources will be shipped from Canada and the United States where MCC works in the following situations:
Available materials in MCC material resource centres are culturally appropriate.
Quality and quantity of materials given do not significantly disrupt the local market.
Local partners requested materials and are part of the planning for distribution and use.
Assistance is granted for a specific purpose and for a defined period of time.
Who determines the need, receives material resources, and implements material aid programs?
The local MCC partner agency takes the lead in designing, managing and implementing the material aid program together with the affected population.
Is material aid always a good thing?
A carefully planned material aid intervention can benefit the recipient and be a sign of God's caring and compassion for those affected by adverse conditions. Many who receive these gifts express thanks to the local partner, MCC and the church supporting MCC for thinking about them.
At the same time, sharing material resources, like sending personnel, food and dollars, remains challenging. When sharing material resources, one must work for equitable and appropriate distribution. Giving material resources can create long-lasting dependencies and put stress on local economic initiatives. For givers in Canada and the United States, sharing material resources must not be viewed as the panacea or only response called for by the church. Material resources are only part of the overall MCC response.
Église chrétienne de Saint-Eustache 69, rue Saint-Laurent Saint-Eustache, QC J7P 3X6 (514) 278-3008 *Please call first to ensure that someone will be available
Sewing kits provide basic tools to make and mend clothing. These tools will be used often and must be of good quality. People in such countries as Bosnia, Haiti, Liberia, Nicaragua, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine receive sewing kits from MCC.
Contents (NEW items only)
1 metric tape measure
2 spools dual use white thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273m / 300 yards each)
2 spools dual use black thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273m / 300 yards each)
1 thimble (medium size)
1 dressmaker's scissors (good quality)
1 pkg. needles (approx. 25)
1 pkg. straight pins (approx. 100)
1 pkg. hooks and eyes (approx. 12)
1 pkg. sew on snaps (approx. 20-25)
10 assorted safety pins
Sewing kits are distributed in a useful double drawstring cloth bag (28cm x 40.6cm / 11in x 16in). You may sew the bag yourself (instructions), request bags from an MCC collection center, or donate contents that we will place in a bag.
Drop off completed sewing kits at one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S.
Making kit bags How to make the drawstring shoulder bag for the kit contents.
School kits are MCC's most-requested item. Notebooks and pencils become treasures to families who struggle to afford basic school supplies. School kits are also given to refugee and displaced children, helping students and teachers add some normalcy to disrupted lives. They are frequently requested after natural disasters. MCC sends school kits to places including Iraq, Nicaragua, North Korea and to poorly funded schools in Canada and the United States.
4 spiral or perforated notebooks (about 21.5cm x 27cm / 8.5in x 10.5in and 70 sheets U.S. / 140 pages in Canada, see below for more info)
4 unsharpened pencils
1 ruler (flat, flexible plastic; indicating both 30cm and 12in)
12 colored pencils (in packaging)
1 large pencil eraser
School kits are distributed in a useful double drawstring cloth bag (28cm x 40.6cm / 11in x 16in). You may sew the bag yourself (instructions), request bags from an MCC collection center, or donate contents that we will place in a bag.
Drop off completed school kits at one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S.
Notebook instructions: 70-80 sheets U.S./140-160 pages Canada What's the difference between sheets and pages? In the U.S., notebook size is usually listed in sheets, which are actual sheets of paper. In Canada, notebook size is listed in pages, numbered like a book, with 2 pages per sheet of paper. A notebook numbered by pages needs to be double the number of a notebook numbered by sheets, so that the notebooks are a similar size.
Making kit bags How to make the drawstring shoulder bag for the kit contents.
MCC is asking for donations of 20,000 relief kits as part of its response to the Haiti earthquake. Thank you for joining this response. Relief kits provide valuable supplies to families traumatized by war and disasters. In recent years, kits have been sent to Iraq, Gaza, Bosnia, Serbia, Nepal, Mozambique, Indonesia and Honduras.
Contents (NEW items only)
4 large bars bath soap (leave in wrapping)
1 plastic bottle shampoo (380-710ml / 13-24oz; place bottle in a re-sealable plastic bag)
4 large bars of laundry soap (Some stores carry Fels Naptha, Sunlight or Zote brands; contact your local MCC warehouse with questions)
1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130ml / 6oz; leave in box)
4 adult-size toothbrushes (leave in packaging)
4 new bath towels (medium weight, dark or bright colors)
2 wide-tooth combs(6 to 8in / 15 to 20cm)
1 fingernail clipper
1 box adhesive bandages (minimum 40, assorted)
1 package sanitary pads (18-24 thin maxi)
Place contents in a box or bag and deliver to one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S. The kit will be re-packed in a new 5-gallon plastic pail with lid.
NEEDED IMMEDIATELY: 20,000 relief kits
Please see the relief kit contents list at left. Thank you for limiting your generosity to the items listed. MCC is also sending 10,000 heavy comforters and 10,000 flat sheets as part of its Haiti response.
Drop-off locations Find out where you can send or drop off your kits and material resources.
MCC distributes newborn kits to hospitals, clinics and refugee camps. Newborn kits are sent to assist mothers in giving their children a good start in Bosnia, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, North Korea, Serbia, Russia and Ukraine.
Contents (NEW items only, size 3-9 months)
2 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
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