October 2, 2008

This update expands the 2008 omnibus appeal for U.S. Hurricane, which includes CWS responses to Hurricanes Dolly, Fay, Gustav, Ike and Kyle.

Situation The 11th named storm of a busy hurricane season, Hurricane Kyle flooded homes and businesses in the Caribbean before heading north and dissipating. As many as six people were killed in Puerto Rico, where remote communities are still coping with flooding and landslides. In all, at least 7,000 families have been affected, with some 3,000 homes damaged. Most affected communities are lower-income areas. Likely more communities sustained damage but washed-out bridges and roadways prevent assessment.

President Bush declared eight municipalities eligible for federal individual disaster assistance. However, at least 18 municipalities that sustained damage will need long-term recovery support.

CWS Response Emergency Response Specialist Heriberto Martinez, who lives in Puerto Rico, is in contact with faith-based and other community groups in the 18 identified communities where long-term recovery needs emerge, and little capacity for long-term recovery exists. Martinez will provide training, project development support and mentoring to nascent recovery groups, and CWS will provide emergency response grants to help build capacity.

This appeal will be expanded to accommodate responses to future hurricanes during the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Contributions to support this emergency appeal may be made online, sent to your denomination, or to: Church World Service, Appeal - Account 2008 U.S. Hurricanes (#627-G), P.O. Box 968 Elkhart, IN 46515, or by calling: (800) 297-1516, ext. 222.

Media Contact: Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526; jdragin@gis.net