Catholic san Francisco
(CNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)
Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
Haitians attempting to flee floodwaters on Haiti’s National Highway climb off the back of a truck that overturned near Gonaives. Many residents of the island nation were caught off guard by flooding from Tropical Storm Jeanne. Reports put the number of dead at more than 660.
Caribbean and southeastern U.S. receive help from Catholic agencies By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — As the Caribbean and southeastern United States endured one of the worst hurricane seasons in memory, parts of Haiti was devastated by floods and mudslides caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne before it headed out to sea. Jeanne, which at times reached hurricane levels, struck just days after Hurricane Ivan swept through the Caribbean and southern United States. Catholic relief agencies were providing emergency aid to some of the areas hardest hit by the storms and planned to donate significant funds to long-term recovery efforts. The Associated Press reported this week that floods in Haiti had killed more than 600 people and officials expected the death toll to rise higher. At least 500 people were killed in the northern city of Gonaives and hundreds more were left homeless. Half the city was still under water. Elsewhere in the Caribbean, at least 70 people died and in the United States 52 died. In the United States, Ivan battered the Gulf Coast, causing an estimated $3 billion to $6 billion in insured losses in Pensacola and other parts of Florida’s panhandle as well as in a significant portion of Alabama and areas of Louisiana and Mississippi. The effects of the deadliest U.S. storm since 1999 reached nine states, leaving more than 1.8 million people without power and causing flooding from northern Alabama to Virginia.
To help those on the already devastated island of Haiti, Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. church’s overseas aid and development agency, reallocated $25,000 from existing projects in the country to help storm victims. Meanwhile, those living on the Caribbean islands and in Florida continued to recover from the massive damage caused by Hurricane Charley in mid-August and Hurricane Frances just three weeks later. Catholic Charities USA has sent $25,000 in emergency relief grants to three local Catholic Charities agencies in Florida to support their recovery efforts in the wake of recent hurricanes. This initial help will be expanded to supporting long-term recovery efforts, bolstered by contributions of nearly $1 million to the charity for hurricane victims. Catholic Charities of Venice, Florida said it was already helping more than 20,000 hurricane victims daily after Charley, and Frances took an additional toll on the residents of several counties in the diocese. At least 50 church-owned properties in the Orlando Diocese reported some hurricane damage, ranging from minor leaks to flooding and damaged roofs. Catholic Relief Services sent $10,000 each to Grenada and the Bahamas for immediate emergency relief and $30,000 to Jamaica. It also sent $70,000 to the Cuban Catholic charitable agency, Caritas Cubana, in August after Charley ripped through the Havana and Pinar del Rio provinces. According to CRS, in Cuba alone, damage from Hurricanes Charley and Ivan was estimated at $1 billion.
In Grenada, Hurricane Ivan left 60,000 people homeless, representing two-thirds of the country’s entire population. The succession of storms in the Caribbean has “left people scrambling, especially those already vulnerable due to poverty,” said Jed Hoffman, CRS regional director for Latin America. “The challenge in the coming days and months is not just meeting immediate needs but also working with local communities as they begin the process of rebuilding.” Catholic Charities USA was continuing to channel hurricane relief donations through local Catholic agencies in U.S. states affected by hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan. Catholic Relief Services was doing the same in affected nations in the Caribbean. Contributions to Catholic Charities USA can be made by telephone at: (800) 919-9338; online at: www.catholiccharitiesinfo.org; or by mail to: Catholic Charities USA, 2004 Hurricanes Fund, P.O. Box 25168, Alexandria, VA 22313-9788. Checks should carry a notation on the memo line “2004 hurricanes fund” or name a specific hurricane if desired. Donations to Catholic Relief Services can by made by telephone at: (877) HELPCRS (435-7277); online at: www.crs.org/make_a_gift/individual/index.cfm; or by mail to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. Checks should carry a notation on the memo line “hurricanes/Caribbean region relief” or name a specific hurricane if desired.
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Sacred Heart parish . . . . . . . 5 Support for Prop A. . . . . . . . 6 This Catholic Life . . . . . . . . 7 Returning Catholics . . . . . . . 8 Commentary and letters . 12-13
Young Adults’ Fall Fest
National American Indian Museum
Movie review
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September 24, 2004
FIFTY CENTS
Scripture and reflection . . . 14 Nun receives award . . . . . . 18
www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 6
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