Baltimore, March 1, 2000 -
Catholic Relief Services is taking immediate action to address the recent
flooding in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Flooding began
in the region in early February with heavy rainfall across Southern Africa
and was then exacerbated by Tropical Cyclone Eline, which hit February
22. The floods have killed hundreds of people and the death toll
is expected to rise into the thousands as people begin dying of flood-borne
diseases. Rising waters have also destroyed roads, homes, bridges
and crops and left an estimated 300,000 people homeless across the region.
Mozambique received the brunt of the storms.
"The damage caused by these floods
has torn families apart and destroyed whole villages, infrastructures and
livelihoods," said Kenneth Hackett, Executive Director of Catholic
Relief Services. "We are committed to helping our brothers and sisters
in Southern Africa by helping them recover from this tragedy and rebuild
their communities."
Catholic Relief Services is sending an assessment team to the region to begin the process of implementing a region-wide emergency response in cooperation with local Church partners. Catholic Relief Services plans to provide its local partners with technical assistance and to help plan and implement emergency response where needed.
Catholic Relief Services is accepting cash contributions to support relief efforts in Southern Africa. If you would like to participate in these efforts, you may send donations, marked "Southern Africa Floods," to:
Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203-7090
1-800-736-3467
Catholic Relief Services is the official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. Founded in 1943, the agency provides assistance to people in more than 80 countries. Catholic Relief Services provides assistance on the basis of need, not race, creed or nationality.
For more information about Catholic Relief Services and our programs around the world, visit our web site at www.catholicrelief.org.
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Jennifer Lindsey
Communications Associate - Africa
Catholic Relief Services
Tel. (410) 625-2220, ext. 3256
Fax (410) 234-2992
e-mail: Jlindsey@catholicrelief.org