Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is assisting more families in the U.S. and Caribbean months after a series of deadly hurricanes. More than 120 people were killed and tens of thousands of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed in the U.S. In the Caribbean, more than 3,100 people died, mostly in Haiti, and thousands of homes, schools, and other structures were completely destroyed. Communities are recovering, but the rebuilding process is slow.
ERD is providing additional emergency assistance to the Dioceses of Florida, Southeast Florida, Central Gulf Coast, and Central Florida.
Mark Spina, Director of ERD's Emergency Response Program, visited hurricane ravaged areas in Florida and Alabama. ERD's assistance has already provided food and other supplies to people in need in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. "The people most affected [by the hurricanes] here lived on the margins-especially day laborers and landscapers, many of whom are immigrants and lost at least two weeks pay," said the Rev. William T. Richter, Jr., Rector of St. Simon's on the Sound Church.
In the Diocese of the Dominican Republic and several dioceses within the Church of the Province of the West Indies, ERD is giving additional emergency funds to help devastated communities recover. On behalf of ERD, the Rev. Angela Ifill, Missioner for Black Ministries for the Episcopal Church, traveled to the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Grenada to assess damage.
Approximately 90% of the homes in Grenada lost their roofs during Hurricane Ivan. "Homes were completely demolished in Grand Bahama. In Grenada, structures were left standing without roofs. As a result, all household items either blew away or have been totally destroyed by heavy rainfalls," said Ifill. "Residents are generally very poor and food pantries have been set up to provide for families," she said.
People in Jamaica already living in poverty were hard hit by Hurricane Ivan. "I toured the community of Bull Bay near Kingston where approximately 150 very poor families live, mostly in one room homes. Residents were rounding up pieces of twisted zinc and trekking miles back to their location as an attempt to provide covering for their dwellings," reported Ms. Ifill.
On behalf of Episcopalians, Episcopal Relief and Development is supporting relief efforts in the Dioceses of the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Nassau and the Bahamas, and the Windward Islands. ERD is providing ongoing critical assistance such as temporary shelter, emergency food, and mattresses.
ERD will continue working with dioceses affected by the hurricanes and assist in long-term efforts to rebuild communities.
To make a contribution for people affected by hurricanes in the U.S. and the Caribbean, donate to the 2004 Hurricane Relief Fund at www.er-d.org or call (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o 2004 Hurricane Relief Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ, 07101.
