Alexandria, VA-Catholic Charities USA's Disaster Response Team, which deployed to the Gulf Coast on Friday, continues its disaster recovery preparations, including working with the local Catholic Charities agencies in the region to preposition community resources sites.
After the storm, these sites will provide water, basic food essentials, clean up supplies, personal care kits, and other items to meet the communities' recovery needs.
In addition, teams will be deployed into the affected areas to make damage assessments and identify unmet needs in the communities. These assessments will help Catholic Charities determine how best to tailor their response efforts in the days, weeks, and months to come.
"Using our experience from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we stand ready to respond to Gustav with speed, reliability, and a long-term commitment to helping the impacted region recover," said Kim Burgo, senior director of disaster response for Catholic Charities USA.
To contribute to Catholic Charities USA's response efforts:
Call (800) 919-9338
Visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
Send checks to
Catholic Charities USA
2008 Hurricanes
PO Box 17066
Baltimore, MD 21297-1066
CCUSA, which has been commissioned by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to represent the Catholic community in times of domestic disaster, responds with emergency and long-term assistance as needed. Its Disaster Response Office connects the Church's social service agencies and disaster planning offices across the nation.
Catholic Charities USA is unable to accept contributions of food, clothing, blankets and other relief supplies. Its federal ID number is 53-0196620.
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