Washington, DC - Catholic Charities agencies in Texas are bracing for Hurricane Ike this weekend -- while disaster relief efforts to assist Gulf Coast residents hit by Gustav continue.
"Forecasters are predicting that Ike will pack winds of 105 mph coupled with tides of 20 feet above normal," explained Kim Burgo, CCUSA's Senior Director of Disaster Response. "Authorities warn that Ike will bring certain death to those remaining in the Galveston area. Due to the size of the storm, thousands of people may need to be evacuated."
"We are coordinating relief efforts with our local agencies ahead of the storm. Agencies within the Catholic Charities network stand ready to lend expertise and personnel as needed," Burgo added.
"In the Gulf Coast region, there are still many areas without power," she noted. Food, water, ice, and other necessities remain in high demand as store shelves are rapidly emptying. To help hurricane victims, Catholic Charities' volunteers and staff are distributing thousands of hot meals at mobile canteens and operating 12 community resources sites throughout the area. Here families can access food, water, ice, hygiene kits, tarps and cleanup supplies, along with other necessities to rebuild after the devastating storm.
In addition to meeting basic needs, Catholic Charities' recovery efforts include: offering gas cards and other aid to assist stranded evacuees in their return home; providing crisis counseling and case management, sending truckloads of food and other supplies to impacted areas; and continuing damage assessment to identify ongoing needs.
"The need has reached the critical tipping point. The most vulnerable are desperate for our help. It costs $1000 per family to evacuate. As Catholic Charities, we are always mindful of the poor who do not have the extra resources and support systems to help during disasters. They truly bear the biggest share of the burden," she explained.
Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to support its 2008 Hurricane recovery efforts.
To contribute to Catholic Charities USA's response efforts:
Call (800) 919-9338
Visit http://www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
Send checks to:
Catholic Charities USA
2008 Hurricanes
PO Box 17141
Baltimore, MD 21297-1141
Catholic Charities USA is unable to accept contributions of food, clothing, blankets and other relief supplies. Its federal ID number is 53-0196620.
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Catholic Charities USA's members-more than 1,700 local agencies and institutions nationwide-provide help and create hope for nearly 8 million people of all faiths and social and economic backgrounds. For more than 280 years, local Catholic Charities agencies have been providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from day care and counseling to food and housing. For more information, visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
Contact: Shelley Borysiewicz
Manager of Media Relations
(703) 236-6218