Silver Spring, Maryland--The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is launching an emergency food aid project to distribute food baskets for nearly 200 households in rural Sonora, after Tropical Storm Lowell dropped 20 hours of continual rain throughout the state in mid-September, causing widespread flooding and affecting more than 25,000 residents of three states in northwestern Mexico, according to local officials.

ADRA is targeting low-income families in Navojoa, Huatabampo, and Etchojoa, three of the four communities in the state of Sonora that suffered the worst damage from the storm. Priority is being given to low-income families, and to those who lost their livelihoods.

"These families were severely affected by this unexpected flooding, and they have to find the food that they need to survive," said Rafael García Valderrábano, Country Director for ADRA Mexico. "ADRA's support is essential to helping them achieve that goal."

Tropical Storm Lowell, the third such weather system to strike Mexico in less than a month, caused the evacuation of an estimated 8,500 people on September 11, when the Mayo River flooded at least 19 sectors in Huatabampo, Sonora. As a result, more than 1,500 people were placed in 13 shelters located in 13 municipalities in the state of Sonora. According to the Municipal Civil Protection Committee of Huatabampo, some 25,000 people were reported affected.

ADRA is currently working in close coordination with municipalities in the affected areas to distribute urgently needed food assistance. Each food basket is stocked with enough food to adequately feed and nourish a family of five for 14 days, ensuring that every beneficiary receives the international standard of 2,100 calories per day. Families will receive 18 pounds (8 kgs) of corn flour, four pounds (2 kgs) of rice, 11 pounds (5 kg) of pasta, two pounds (1 kg) of oats, one-half gallon (2 liters) of tomato sauce, one 14-oz. (400 gr) bottle of vitamin C, six pounds (3 kgs) of beans, two pounds (1 kg) of lentils, four cups (1 liter) of milk, 11 pounds (5 kgs) of tuna, one-half gallon (2 liters) of cooking oil, two pounds (1 kg) of sugar, and two pounds (1 kg) of salt.

This two-week emergency response, which is being funded by ADRA International, the ADRA Inter-American regional office, and the ADRA North Mexico office will take place from September 23 through October 6.

To assist in ADRA's emergency response to the flooding in Mexico, contributions can be donated to ADRA's Emergency Response Fund, by phone at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) or online at www.adra.org

ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

Author: Nadia McGill

Media Contact: John Torres, Senior Public Relations Manager, ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.6357 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org