Episcopal Relief and Development

Episcopalians have an excellent agency for aiding those in immediate need, and staying involved as communities develop or rebuild. Episcopal Relief and Development has three ways to make very effective use of our donations: local contacts through Anglican Communion churches world-wide, facilitating aid to places such as Africa, and partners with local aid and development agencies.

 

Right Now

Guatemala

Tropical storm Agatha, the first storm of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season, struck Central America. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were all greatly affected—the storm killed more than 150 people and left thousands homeless.

Much of the region saw at least three feet of rainfall, which was accompanied by high winds and deadly mudslides that swallowed homes in towns and cities alike. In Guatemala City, the downpour led to the appearance of a 200-foot-deep crater that swallowed a three-story building.

In Guatemala, Agatha has swiftly followed another disaster—the eruption of the Pacaya volcano. The volcano, located about 25 miles south of Guatemala City, erupted on Thursday, May 27, spewing both lava and rocks. The ash from the eruption has caused problems with drainage and increased flooding in Agatha’s wake. Emergency crews are working tirelessly to remove the centimeter-thick blanket of ash that covers the runway at the country’s airport, which is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday afternoon.

Episcopal Relief & Development has been in contact with the Episcopal Diocese of Guatemala and is working closely with the diocese to reach people most affected. Please pray for those impacted by these disasters.

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Haiti

Haiti is one of the most economically challenged countries in the world, with 80% of its population living in poverty. The devastating quake that hit on January 12, 2010, has greatly increased the amount of need in Haiti—it destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure, disrupted trade, dramatically raised prices and made it more difficult for Haitians to support themselves and their families.

Since the quake, Episcopal Relief & Development’s work with the diocesan development office has shifted to meet the immense needs of those affected by this disaster. In the three months following the disaster, Episcopal Relief & Development and the Diocese of Haiti’s work was primarily focused in eight parishes: Léogane, Darbonne, l’Acul, Trouin, Grande Colline, Bainet, Mathieu and Buteau. In April, work also began in the parish of Carrefour.

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Chile

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on February 27, 2010 has largely faded from international news coverage. However, the hundreds of thousands left homeless and unemployed in the disaster’s wake are still struggling to recover. As winter approaches in the southern hemisphere, the negative impact for those affected will be magnified and these populations will be increasingly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses and other diseases.

During this crucial recovery period, Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting those most in need. Working with ACT Alliance local partner, Fundacion de Ayuda Social de las Iglesias Cristianas (Foundation of Social Aid of Christina Churches), Episcopal Relief & Development will help repair and rebuild homes damaged or destroyed by the quake. The agency will also help generate income for affected individuals by providing small loans and grants to reestablish small businesses.
 

Website:

www.er-d.org - Episcopal Relief and Development

 

American Red Cross

Chile

The American Red Cross is responding to the strong 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, making an initial $50,000 pledge from its International Response Fund for relief operations.

Chilean Red Cross disaster teams are working in close coordination with the Chilean government, providing limited search and rescue services, administering first aid and distributing pre-positioned supplies. The Chilean Red Cross is a member of the government’s emergency response group, which is leading the emergency operations and has a great deal of experience and systems in place to manage response to major disasters.

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Haiti

Even as millions of Haitians struggle to get by after the devastating earthquake struck, the first rain storm arrived in Haiti’s capital city, underscoring a warning from the international Red Cross and Red Crescent network that time is quickly running out to provide earthquake survivors with adequate transitional shelter and sanitation facilities ahead of spring rains and hurricane season which begins in June.

More than one million Haitians are now living in makeshift camps in Haiti’s capital, Port–au-Prince, while still thousands of others have sought refuge with family or friends outside the capital. Given that much of the densely populated capital city is now covered in rubble, the emergency response and longer-term recovery efforts have been further complicated making it the most challenging in recent Red Cross history.

As part of its overall emergency relief operation, the Red Cross has purchased over 160,000 tarps with the goal of eventually providing shelter to as many as 400,000 Haitians.

“Our needs in Haiti remain immense,” said Michaele Amédée Gédéon, president of the Haitian Red Cross Society. “A common commitment is crucial to provide survivors of this tragedy with the right conditions to rebuild a Haiti with hope and dignity for the future.”

You can help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and other crises around the world by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

 

Website:

www.redcross.org - American Red Cross

 

“He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap.” Psalm 113:7