Haiti and India: CAFOD’s Emergency Response

1. Haiti and India: CAFOD’s Emergency Response

2. UK HAITI Weather has affected thousands of people in Haiti, India and Nepal in the last few weeks. In Haiti, Tropical Storm Fay was quickly followed by Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike. They swept across the country leaving more than 500 dead.

3. Almost 70,000 people are now living in temporary shelters. Torrential rains continue to lash the country. Gonaïves, on the west coast, is one of the hardest-hit cities. “Already many people have succumbed. Many more will die if we can’t get them the immediate support they require.” Bishop of Gonaïves, Monsignor Yves Marie Péan

4. "Many remote areas of the country are also badly affected and hundreds of thousands of people need help. Access is difficult because of mountainous terrain, poor roads and poor communications. The challenges in getting supplies through are enormous. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitian people." Clare Dixon, CAFOD’s head of Latin America and the Caribbean

5. The urgent need is for drinking water, food, clothes, beds, batteries, blankets, towels, chlorine, mosquito nets, and medicine. • CAFOD has already sent £50,000 to its partners Caritas Haiti and Caritas USA (CRS) to help the people of Haiti. • Caritas will support 500 families with: • construction materials for temporary shelters and latrines • restoring safe water and sanitation • help to rebuild their livelihoods and agriculture. The increase in world food prices means that the people of Haiti need our support more than ever.

6. UK India In north-east India on 18 August the Kosi River flowing in from Nepal burst its banks and altered course. Floodwaters raged through more than 1,000 towns and villages that had not seen floods for decades. Surging waters swamped 100,000 hectares of farmland. They destroyed wheat and rice crops and left drinking water scarce.

7. “Many are still marooned in their villages, either unable to get away or afraid to leave their houses and belongings. Conditions are pretty grim in the relief camps. The government is providing some rice and dhal but there is a need for more, and for supplementary food.” Mary Lucas, CAFOD’s programme manager for India

8. Jamuna Prasad, in front of a temporary shelter at Chakla, Madhepura. “We don’t have food or drinking water, no clothes to change and no place to sleep… but still, we are living.” Jamuna Prasad, who lives in the temporary shelter at Chakla, Madhepura CAFOD has pledged £100,000 to assist those left devastated by the floods in India and Nepal. More will be needed in the coming months.

9. CAFOD partner Caritas India hopes to help up to 270,000 people - providing food, household items, medical assistance and temporary shelter through its diocesan offices and local groups. CAFOD is concerned that the situations in these countries may worsen, and therefore require a long-term relief effort. Through its partners and the generosity of its supporters, CAFOD will continue to assist the people of Haiti, India and Nepal in the months to come.

10. Compassionate God, We pray for all those who have suffered the effects of storms and floodwaters this summer. We pray especially for the people of Haiti, India and Nepal. Give strength to those who are working alongside them. We thank you for the work of CAFOD partners to feed the hungry, house the homeless, comfort the bereaved and heal the sick. Bless all those who continue to make this work possible. Amen

11. Picture credits: Francois Poidatz/CRS, Caritas Suggestions for hymns: I, the Lord of sea and sky (Here I am, Lord)