RSSHaiti Braces for Hurricane Tomas
November 5, 2010
Haiti is still reeling from the effects of the January 12 earthquake, which caused widespread death and property damage. Now the country is bracing for the heavy rains and strong winds of Hurricane Tomas, which may make landfall on Friday. The storm, which has fluctuated in strength over the past week between a tropical depression and a Category 2 hurricane, has already brought substantial rains and sustained winds of up to 80 miles per hour. Concerns about flash flooding and mudslides have prompted evacuations, but many earthquake refugees refuse to leave their makeshift homes because they fear they will have nowhere to return to. The storm has already claimed lives and destroyed homes in St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and in addition to Haiti, both Cuba and Jamaica may be affected.
Episcopal Relief & Development has a long-standing relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti and its relief and development arm, the Centre Diocesain de Development et de Secours (CEDDISEC). CEDDISEC has been carrying out relief and recovery work in response to January’s earthquake, and has strong ties to local communities throughout Haiti. In preparation for the storm, CEDDISEC Development Agents have been reaching out to community members, encouraging them to gather their livestock and seek more substantial shelter if possible.
“People here are praying that God dissipates the storm,” said Abagail Nelson, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Vice President for Programs, who is attending the Haiti Connection conference in Miami, FL.
Episcopal Relief & Development’s program staff are in touch with partners in Haiti who are monitoring the storm. We stand ready to respond and support those affected by Hurricane Tomas.
Please continue to pray for mercy and protection for the people of Haiti, who have suffered so much this year.
