The Church World Service announced that it would reallocate food shipments originally designated to assist victims of Haiti’s social and political unrest to assist those suffering through one of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, May 28, 2004.

According to recent reports, some 950 deaths have been confirmed in both Caribbean countries. However, officials report as many as 1,000 deaths in the town of Mapou in southeast Haiti alone. Others say deaths may easily exceed 2,000 in both countries.

The reallocation of resources was carried out at the request of the CWS partners in Haiti- Lutheran World Federation and Service Chretien d’Haiti. According to the CWS disaster liaison Don Tatlock who was on scene since May 15, one full shipment of food has been designated for flood survivors in Haiti and a portion of another food shipment has been designated for the Dominican Republic.

Other church-based humanitarian groups such as World Vision and Food for the Hungry have also responded to the floods by providing both food, water, blankets and other necessities.

As for long-term recovery efforts, the CWS announced that it would work with the Social Service of Dominican Churches to understand other needs. The Action by Churches Together – an international network of church-based humanitarian relief groups – may also join through their Rapid Response Fund.

Contributions to support the Church World Service emergency appeal may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. Please designate: #6743 - Haiti/Dominican Republic Floods.

To make a credit card contribution -- please visit the CWS online donation page at www.churchworldservice.org or phone (800) 297-1516.