HAITI /CARIBBEAN
HURRICANE RELIEF
Emergency Alert Updated - September 17, 2008
You can help
our local partners
provide needed assistance.
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Background:
In the last weeks of August and the first week of September 2008, Haiti was hit by four tropical storms and hurricanes, namely Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike. Damage to the small island nation has been extensive, affecting the entire country and leaving thousands without shelter and food, destroying crops and killing livestock.
According to the Haitian government, over 300 people have died thus far as a result of the storms, with the death toll continuing to rise. It is estimated that 78,200 people are currently living in temporary shelters with over 170,000 families affected by the rash of storms.
Of particular concern is the state of the small country’s rice crops. The storm killed hundreds and left thousands homeless in Gonaives, the “rice bowl” of Haiti. Decreased food supply forces the country into dependence on food imports, an issue that has recently sparked deadly food riots.
| LWR AND PARTNERS ARE HELPING |
LWR is working with the Action by Churches Together (ACT) partner Lutheran World Federation and World Neighbors, an international development organization working in Haiti to provide immediate relief assistance, including:
- Emergency food aid
- Hygiene kits
- Agriculture kits
- Cash-for-work programs
- Reconstruction assistance, including the recovery of potable water systems, crops, and livestock
The best way to assist people caught in an emergency is to give cash so that our partner staff on the ground can be most effective.
To contribute online, click below. You will be given the opportunity to choose “Haiti/Caribbean Hurricane Relief” for your contribution.
Your gift will be used to respond to the “Haiti/Caribbean Hurricane Relief” until needs there are met. After that, further gifts will be used to help LWR respond where the need is greatest. Please also consider making an unrestricted donation which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.
During regular business hours, Monday through Friday, you may also call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2, or mail a check or money order to:
Lutheran World Relief -
Haiti/Caribbean Hurricane Relief
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
USA
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802 (office), 443-220-3269 (cell), esollie@lwr.org
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility. LWR is a member of Action by Churches Together.
