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Episcopal Relief & Development Continues to Respond to Storms in Haiti

               

9/9/08                                                                                  

On September 1, only days after the poorest country in the western hemisphere had been slammed by Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav, Tropical Storm Hanna blew through Haiti causing even more death and destruction. While most of Haiti was hit, the three most affected regions are Gonaives, the Department of South-East and the Department of Nippes.

Already, the triple storm combination has claimed the lives of 500 people in Gonaives alone.  Officials fear that the death toll will continue to rise.  In flooded Gonaives over 250,000 are without shelter, food and water. Across the country there are 800,000 people, roughly 10 percent of the population, in severe need of aid.  

Hurricane Ike has caused more rain in the region today. Haiti’s deforested mountainsides prevent no resistance to mudslides and flooding, increasing the degree of destruction. From the north to the south of the country bridges, roads and houses have been washed away, trees uprooted and crops decimated. The situation is dire.

In response to Hurricane Gustav, Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Diocese of Haiti’s Development Office to deliver aid to more than 1,000 people in the southern part of the country.  In addition, Episcopal Relief & Development is providing assistance in the northern part of Haiti to affected populations in response to Hanna and Ike.  Development Office staff are on site in the affected areas networking with local priests to distribute food, medical supplies, clothing and seeds for planting.

“The situation in Haiti is devastating,” says Matthew St. John, Program Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean at Episcopal Relief & Development. 

“We are seeking additional funds to prevent a humanitarian crisis from occurring in the country,” continued St. John. “Please hold the people of Haiti in your prayers.”

Episcopal Relief & Development continues to monitor the needs in other hard-hit countries in the Caribbean as well.

To support people in Haiti impacted by hurricanes, please make a donation to Episcopal Relief & Development’s “Hurricane Relief Fund” online at www.er-d.org , or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief & Development “Hurricane Relief Fund” P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.