According to recent reports, some 950 deaths have been confirmed in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. However, official reports have indicated that there may be as many as 1,000 deaths in the town of Mapou in south-east Haiti alone. Other reports have stated that deaths may easily exceed 2,000 in both countries.

In the light of these disastrous incidents, the Church World Service announced on May 28th that it would reallocate food shipments originally designated to assist victims of Haiti’s social and political unrest, to assist those suffering through one of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The shake-up of resources was agreed at the request of the CWS partners in Haiti-Lutheran World Federation and Service Chretien d’Haiti. The CWS disaster liaison, Don Tatlock stated that one full shipment of food will be sent to flood survivors in Haiti and a share of another food shipment would be designated to the Dominican Republic.

Other church-based humanitarian groups such as World Vision and Food for the Hungry have also responded by providing food, water, blankets and other necessities.

The CWS, looking forward in providing long-term aid to the area, announced that it would work with the Social Service of Dominican Churches in an effort to better understand each others needs. The Action by Churches Together – an international network of church-based humanitarian relief groups – may also join through their Rapid Response Fund.

Contributions to support the Church World Service emergency appeal may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. Please designate: #6743 - Haiti/Dominican Republic Floods.

To make a credit card contribution -- please visit the CWS online donation page at www.churchworldservice.org