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Costa Rica

Hurricane Cesar Central America $30,000 initial appeal

CWS partners in Central America are assisting with reliefefforts in the aftermath of Cesar, the hurricane-turned-tropical storm that killed dozens and uprooted tens of thousands throughout the region.
100% of All Denominational Contributions
To Church World Service
Are Used for Disaster Relief & Recovery Programs

Disaster Bulletin No. 76356

SITUATION: Hurricane Cesar killed at least 28 people and forced thousands from their homes throughout Central America. The worst-hit nations included Costa Rica, where at least 11 people died, and Nicaragua, where 20,000 had to flee homes and $15 million in property losses were reported. Particularly hard-hit were rural communities on Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast. The governments of both countries have declared states of emergency and are seeking international assistance.

In Nicaragua, thousands have been relocated in relief camps with low supplies of food, medicine, and water. President Violeta Chamorro has called on the international community to assist with relief efforts. Meanwhile, nearly 70,000 acres of crops, primarily coffee beans and corn, were destroyed.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Funds and supplies to facilitate:

- Immediate relief - food, hygienic items, bedding, baby food, infant formula, mosquito nets, and water purification supplies
- Long-term rebuilding & rehabilitation programs where they are possible
- Disaster management training

CWS is responding to needs in Nicaragua through its partner, Nicaragua's Council of Evangelical Churches (CEPAD). CEPAD had scarce resources of food, clothing and supplies and what it had was distributed among its five regional offices in Juigalpa, Bilwi, Bluefields, Leon and Carazo. CEPAD reports that its central warehouse is now empty.

CEPAD is developing a program to help some 1,000 families and groups in Nicaragua with immediate relief assistance and housing reconstruction. CEPAD also plans to train 300 community leaders in disaster management at 10 local workshops during September and October.

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE RESPONSE:

$30,000 INITIAL APPEAL

- CWS is sending CEPAD $10,000 from its Emergency Advance Fund and issuing this appeal to meet needs of the thousands uprooted by the hurricane.

The need is urgent. Swift action is necessary. Please send contributions through communion/denomination designated for this CWS appeal #76356 or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart IN 46515. CWS uses 100 per cent of all denominational contributions for disaster relief and recovery programs.

It is important to notify the CWS Emergency Response Office of any grants sent directly. When sending funds directly, please notify the recipient that your grant should be included in reporting of total income figures for disaster recovery.

Call the NCCC/CWS HOTLINE for updates 1 800 456-1310.

For further information about the emergency, contact CWS Emergency Response at (212) 870-3151 or through ECUNET to CWS DROFFICE. Call (800) 733-2863 to join ECUNET. After- hours emergency pager: (800) 418-0408.

CC: J. Campbell R. Page M.I. Gardner
B. Arnold B. Sage K. Hurty
O. Bolioli M. Lehman D. Davis
B. Thompson

080796- Hurricane Cesar Appeal

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE
National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
33 Denominations & Communions Working Together To Meet Human Need
475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115