The Church World Service has been visiting parts of Louisiana devastated by Hurricane Katrina Saturday. The visit includes meetings with religious leaders in order to construct plans for long-term recovery efforts.

“People are homeless and will have to start new lives, and the faith community has to be a partner with them,” says Rev John L. McCullough, CEO and Executive Director of the CWS.

Mr McCullough met with members and pastors of independent churches in Louisiana, as well as representatives of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

He said at the meeting, “This is not just an urban story; it’s a rural story”.

Donna Derr, CWS Associate for Emergency Response, spoke of the many positive stories of faith now emerging from the survivors. “In the midst of all the chaos of the last few days I have found uplifting the many messages of prayers and support received from overseas partners as they learn of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

Ms Derr was particularly encouraged by the Pakistan branch of the CWS which has already collected over US$1,000 for the CWS Hurricane Katrina appeal, half of their US$2,000 target. She quoted the Pakistan staff who said: “So often those of you in the north have come to the aid of those in the south. We are glad that today, those of us in the south can offer you support and solidarity in your time of need.”

So far, the CWS has donated an initial 5,000 “Gift of the Heart” Health Kits and 5,000 CWS Blankets to be distributed to families in need in the New Orleans area.

Thousands of other CWS Health Kits and Blankets have been sent to survivors and displaced persons in Victoria, southern Louisiana and West Memphis, Arkansas.

Some 20 Interchurch Medical Assistance medicine boxes have also been sent to Louisiana by the CWS, containing vital medicine and antibiotic supplies which will treat some 20,000 people for up to three months.

Meanwhile Roman Catholic head, Pope Benedict XVI has also asked the Vatican’s central charity organisation, Cor Unum, meaning One Heart in Latin, to coordinate Roman Catholic aid for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Pope said during his Sunday address: “We have all been pained in the last few days by the disaster caused by the hurricane in the United States of America, particularly New Orleans.

“I have asked the president of Cor Unum to give to those hit evidence of my closeness to them,” he said.

Pope Benedict also extended his prayers and blessings for the dead and survivors, saying, “I want to ensure my prayer for the dead and the relatives, for their wounded without a roof, for the sick, the children, the elderly and I bless those who are busy with the difficult rescue and rebuilding operation”.