‘Hope is on the Way’

Medical Teams International models faithful, effective and rapid response and restoration

By Michael Barrick

(Note: Please see the related articles, “A Transformational Experience: The role of volunteers in Medical Teams International” and “Step-by-Step to Success: Why Medical Teams International is so effective and efficient”)

On its website, Medical Teams International (MTI) declares, “Hope is on the Way.” It is hope provided through thoughtful, purposeful outreach programs – in which people are the center. The hope is revealed in MTI’s mission statement, “The mission of Medical Teams International is to demonstrate the love of Christ to people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty around the world.”

It has been at it for nearly 30 years. Its experience is evident, as it is widely recognized as among the most efficient Christian Relief & Development ministries, providing its services with less than five percent of its budget going to operating overhead. Such efficiencies – recognized by the likes of MinistryWatch, Charity Navigator and Forbes magazine – help ensure program effectiveness as well. It also holds memberships in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). So, even as the Oregon-based ministry meets basic human needs while sharing the hope of Jesus, they are being exemplary stewards, giving confidence to donors that money or supplies given to MTI are helping those who are among the world’s most impoverished and desperate.

MTI is working in more than 30 nations in five regions of the world, providing medical services and training, community health and development, emergency medical services, disaster response, humanitarian aid, mobile dental clinics and care for those suffering with HIV/AIDS. The ministry’s budget for 2007 was approximately $90 million. MIT President Bas Vanderzalm noted that such a huge outreach could not be accomplished without several key principles guide the ministry.

The role of volunteers underscores the fundamental objective of MTI to ensure all the ministry does is rooted in biblical principles. Mr. Vanderzalm shared, “Volunteers are key. We provide everyone who wants to serve with an opportunity to make a difference for the Kingdom by caring for the poor.” So, by utilizing volunteers to help fulfill its mission, MTI is helping to unify the Body of Christ and also provides opportunities for believers to use their talents while being blessed by those whom they serve. “Some plant, some water, and others see the harvest. Those of us in relief and development are doing that land clearing and cultivation that will result in the harvest,” he offered.

In short, even though these volunteer teams are composed of professionals who generally have time only for a “short-term” mission experience, the objective is to ensure a long-term impact. “Our teams are volunteer professionals,” noted Mr. Vanderzalm. “We recruit professional medical, dental and work teams who volunteer their time. Development teams cover their expenses and sometimes gather donated supplies for the hospitals and clinics where they serve.”

He acknowledged, “It is fair to ask, ‘What difference for the Kingdom can people make if they only go for a very short period of time, not knowing the language or culture?’ Well, our objective is to ensure that people have a long term impact. We have to design programs that engage local partners in a way consistent with their calling. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, we’ve worked within existing church structures. If it doesn’t occur within the context of a long-term commitment to a community, you can question the impact. Our task is to make sure that people who have a heart and have the call are effective. It’s a good thing to have a commitment, to go and see who gets the help. It is a transformational experience for all involved to pray together, to cry together. These experiences have great value in changing lives, in the individual, in the church that sends them, and the community they serve. It’s a personal connection between the person who is helping and the person who is being served.”

He noted also the establishment of a youth center in Uganda that is reaching out to youths using drama, sports and music to help combat HIV and AIDS.

He pointed to the development of Emergency Medical Services programs as evidence that the ministry is constantly learning. “We have established EMS programs in Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan and Cambodia. For many developing countries, the lack of basic emergency medical services – no trained paramedics, ambulances or 911 systems – has meant millions of premature deaths annually.” He added, “Immediately following the tsunami in December 2004, Medical Teams International deployed medical volunteers to both Sri Lanka and Indonesia. From that disaster response more than three years ago, Medical Teams International has developed a country-wide emergency medical services program that is being adopted by the Sri Lankan government, its Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization/Sri Lanka. We’ve put a focus on the EMS infrastructure, including training for EMS first responders and providing resources such as books.”

So, he said, the ministry and all working with it must always be learning – and sharing the credit properly. “I don’t really care if people see our name or logo. I do care if they see God in action, through people who love Jesus and cared for them in His name.”

Quick Take on Medical Teams International

• Has a 5-star Ministry Efficiency Ranking from MinistryWatch
• Has received an Transparency Grade of “A” from MinistryWatch
• Received the 4-star Ranking from Charity Navigator for the fifth year in a row
• Provides free dental care annually valued at more than $5.3 million
• Has a ten-vehicle fleet of converted Winnebagos that provide dental care in Washington and Oregon through schools, social service agencies and churches
• Is using more than $100 million in donated medicines worldwide
• Is presently working in the U.S., Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Bolivia, Honduras, Romania, Sudan, Vietnam and other nations
• Partners internationally to develop sustainable relief and development programs
• Is accepting volunteers through its website

© The Barrick Report, 2008. Questions or comments? Write mbarrick@charter.net

The Role of the Church in Disaster Management

Good intentions are not enough

 By Michael Barrick 

Note: Before getting to the subject matter, a brief note to emergency managers/responders who don’t necessarily think of the Church as an Emergency Support Function – please read this anyway. There are two reasons: churches, denominations and ministries have and can play a critical role in Disaster Management activities; and, the challenges I’ve outlined below to the Church are applicable also to the entire field of Emergency Management.

The lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina continue to fill volumes of After Action Reports. In reviewing the activities of local, state and federal government disaster management agencies and hospitals, it is clear that “mistakes were made.” Yes, heroic efforts by individuals, responders and receivers saved many lives and comforted the afflicted. Still, as emergency managers and congressional committees have reviewed the response to this national disaster, it is clear that many of those responsible for protecting the lives and property of citizens could have done a better job. 

The same is true for the Church. 

Responding out of the compassion that is natural for Christianity, churches and ministries rushed to the Gulf Coast region in response to the suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina. It is true that some of the more experienced ministries were of tremendous benefit to the people devastated by the storm. However, many were also in the way. In short, good intentions were not enough. 

The Church can – and must – do better. We are in an age of increasing mass casualty incidents. Some are caused by shifting of populations into areas where natural hazards are common. Others are the result of man-made events, such as mass murders on college campuses. And, of course, the threat of terrorism looms ever-present. So, there is no question that the Church – whether through parachurch ministries, denominational response groups, or individual congregations – will continue to have more opportunities than any of us would wish for to offer assistance to those affected by disasters. Consequently, it is time for the Church to honor Christ by committing itself to improving its knowledge of Disaster Management. In doing so, it will be more effective in not only providing appropriate care, but will also earn the right to share the love – and everlasting hope – of Jesus. 

First, the Church must understand the basics of disaster management – Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Mitigation is taking steps to prevent disasters or reducing their impact. Preparedness is identifying the tactics and tools that will be needed to respond to disasters and making sure the resources and people are trained and in place to implement them. Response is the dispatching and application of resources and people during a disaster. Recovery is the process of rebuilding and mending people and communities following a disaster. It is essential to remember that this is a cycle that is constantly evaluated and is not necessarily perfectly chronological. In short, some or all four phases can be in process at one time. 

For mitigation, the Church should start with learning and applying the all-hazards approach to its planning. This way, ministries could identify how their mission fits with potential threats and hazards so that they could work with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as community responders and receivers in looking for ways to prevent or mitigate the impact of natural hazards, terrorism or man-made events. For instance, a ministry that operates on college campuses could play a vital role in working with university officials to develop methods for identifying students who might present a threat to the university community and offer counseling or other appropriate services. 

Regarding preparedness, the first step that a ministry can take is learning the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and applying it as its Command and Control philosophy and structure. By completing at least four NIMS courses (ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 700 and ICS 800) offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), ministry leadership would be familiar with the Incident Command System (ICS) being used by first responders with whom they will be working. This would include specific training for each position in the Command Staff – Incident Commander, Safety Officer, Liaison and Public Information Officer. It would also allow ministries to begin organizing themselves according to the General Staff structure – Planning, Logistics, Operations and Finance/Administration. By taking these steps, ministries would not only be much more versed in how others operate, they would be implementing a system that has been tested and proven through time and countless disasters. 

Having completed these first two steps, ministries will have established the necessary relationships and knowledge to effectively and appropriately respond to disasters. For instance, during Katrina, many churches self-dispatched, having no idea how they would help; so, they were in the way and actually ended up reflecting poorly upon the Church. Most of us have also heard of the well-intended but poorly-planned sheltering activities which resulted in churches and homes receiving people without giving any thought to the consequences. Understanding response would also force ministries to identify their mission within the context of a disaster. It also means participating in “hot washes” (After Action Reviews) to identify mistakes, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as well as developing Corrective Action Plans to improve future response efforts. It would also include extensive training and drills. 

Recovery is the area where the Church is probably at its best right now, as this is generally where the Church is used to having a role. And it should. But until a ministry truly understands the first three areas of disaster management, it will not know its role in recovery. Too many churches rush to an area to “witness.” Well, disaster victims need physical, financial and emotional needs addressed before they will ever listen to a “sermon.” 

Additionally, ministries should also become familiar with the National Response Framework. As such, they could understand the interoperability of different levels of government, as well as the various agencies and functions. As a volunteer agency, a ministry can play a role as an Emergency Support Function (ESF). By understanding its role within this framework, it is much more likely to be welcomed by the person(s) managing a disaster. 

It has been said that mediocrity and complacency are twin brothers. As we review the response to Hurricane Katrina, it is evident that these twins were present. While that is unacceptable in any area of disaster management, it is certainly not reflective of the excellence for which the Church should be known. So, it is time for ministries to adopt a teachable spirit and seek those who can help them become trained in these four critical areas of disaster management. In doing so, it will not only reflect favorably upon the one for whom its faith is named, but it will be playing a key role in improving and saving lives. I can think of no greater mission for the Church. 

© The Barrick Report, 2008. Send questions or comments to mbarrick@charter.net