Bible Society leaders in the Americas have urged Christians here to pray urgently for the people of Haiti.

Bible Society staff in Haiti, and board members, are still out of contact following the devastating earthquake that hit the Caribbean nation on Tuesday (12 January). It’s not known whether the Bible Society’s two buildings in the country are still standing.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Bible Society in Haiti, Magda Victor, and her family are safe – but their home was damaged in the 7.0 magnitude quake.

Tens of thousands are feared dead following the disaster, millions have been affected and a global rescue operation is getting underway.

Gerd Persson, United Bible Societies’ Programme Consultant in the Americas, said, ‘Please keep Magda, her family, the Bible Society staff and the whole country of Haiti in your prayers. This is a country already in so much distress and despair – and now this.’

United Bible Societies is working with the Haiti Bible Society to assess urgent needs within the country.

Bible Society's International Programme Manager David Smith added, 'When we have more news about how we can help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, we will post information on our website for our supporters.'