9/15/08                                                                                

Episcopal Relief & Development Responds to Hurricane Ike

Early Saturday morning Hurricane Ike made landfall in the United States destroying the town of Galveston, Texas and smashing through the Gulf coast region.  The Hurricane has left 31 people dead, more than two million without power and thousands stranded in their homes or in shelters.   Search and rescue teams continue to save people from flattened houses and rising waters in Galveston and other coastal communities. 

The Episcopal Diocese of Texas has been deeply affected by the storm.  Recent reports are focusing on the destruction in Houston, Orange, Galveston, Beaumont and other areas.  News continues to pour in and assessments are currently under way. Episcopal Relief & Development is responding with funds to address immediate needs of vulnerable families.

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas has been impacted by evacuated populations.  Twenty-one of their institutions are functioning as Red Cross shelters and network of more than two hundred volunteers will maintain the shelters for as long as they are needed.  These churches offered meal programs and relief supplies including tarps and water. 

'Episcopal Relief & Development is communicating with affected dioceses in Western Louisiana, Texas, West Texas and Arkansas and is providing critical assistance as the needs arise,' said Don Cimato of Episcopal Relief & Development.   'We are working in coordination with voluntary organizations at state and national levels with the goal of preventing the duplication of services.'

Reports from the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana suggest that the damage caused by Hurricane Ike is significantly worse than Hurricane Rita.  Clergy and parishioners have had their homes flooded.  The Lake Charles and Sulphur region was drastically impacted and continues to be threatened by water surges.

'We are prepared to provide food, water, medicine, shelter and other basic supplies as well as long-term rebuilding in the aftermath of the destructive hurricane season,' continued Cimato. 'Please continue to support and pray for the people affected by Hurricane Ike.'

Hurricane Ike was the fifth storm of a devestating atlantic hurricane season. Episcopal Relief & Development is continuing to respond to the destruction caused by recent hurricanes in Haiti and the Caribbean where over 200,000 are left homeless and over 800,000 people are in need of urgent aid.  

To support people on the Gulf Coast impacted by hurricanes, please make a donation to Episcopal Relief & Development's 'US Hurricane Fund' online at www.er-d.org <http://www.er-d.org/> , or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief & Development 'US Hurricane Fund' P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. For contributions assisting those in Haiti and the Caribbean, please give to Episcopal Relief & Development's 'Hurricane Relief Fund'.

Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development takes its mandate from Jesus' words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow's challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.