CWS launches Haiti Hurricane Appeal

7 October 2016

CWS launches Haiti Hurricane Appeal

Christian World Service has launched an appeal to provide relief assistance and help families recover after Hurricane Matthew.

The Appeal will help families with urgent relief supplies and to rebuild homes and livelihoods.

Thousands of people have lost their homes and livelihoods in the worst storm in nearly a decade. The southwest regions of the country were badly hit. Over 100 people have died. Isolated areas remain cut off by landslides and slips. Banana and corn crops have been flattened. Livestock have been swept away and sources of clean water destroyed or contaminated.

Working through the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) of which it is a member, CWS will get funds to those who can give the help that is needed by local people.

ACT Alliance made sure local partners had food, and hygiene and shelter kits before the storm hit.

Communications networks have been knocked out and isolated areas have not reported the full extent of the damage.

“We are working with local people to respond. They know what is needed to survive in the aftermath of the storm and will make sure the people who need it most will get help first. In the next few days we will receive the results of their needs assessment,” says Pauline McKay, National Director.

Safe water is a priority as health authorities fear the spread of cholera which was brought to the country in 2010.

CWS is waiting to hear from local partner the Institut Culturel Karl Lévêque, working to support rural peasant communities.

CWS is a member of ACT Alliance a global coalition of more than 143 churches and church-related organisations working together on humanitarian, development and advocacy in over 100 countries.

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