9-10 Haiti-cuba Release And List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Nasserie Carew (202-552-6561 or [email protected]) Tawana Jacobs (202-552-6534 or [email protected])

InterAction Members Respond to Hurricane-Impacted Communities in Haiti and Cuba Washington, DC—The recent hurricanes have brought about humanitarian crises in Haiti and Cuba. Twenty-seven InterAction member organizations are responding to needs with emergency medical, food, shelter, water and hygiene supplies. Many InterAction members are partnering with local organizations to provide aid. Needs assessments are not complete for either country, but estimates are that 800,000 people are in need of aid in Haiti; 400,000 have been affected in Cuba. In addition to destroyed homes and infrastructure, crops have also sustained significant damage. A regularly updated list of agencies responding will be available at: www.interaction.org/haiticuba InterAction has also developed guidelines on the most appropriate ways to help those affected by overseas disasters: http://www.interaction.org/disaster/guide_giving.html. InterAction is a coalition of more than 165 US-based private relief, international development and refugee assistance organizations. InterAction members have agreed to abide by a set of standards to ensure accountability to donors, professional competence and quality of service.

ORGANIZATIONS RESPONDING TO HURRICANE-IMPACTED COMMUNITIES IN HAITI AND CUBA ActionAid International Strategic Crisis Fund 1420 K Street NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005 202-370-9912 www.actionaidusa.org ADRA International Emergency Response Fund 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring MD 20904 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) www.adra.org American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee JDC Cuban Hurricane Relief PO Box 530 132 East 43rd St. New York, NY 10017, 212-687-6200 www.jdc.org American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund P.O. Box 37243 Washington, DC 20013 1-800-RED-CROSS www.redcross.org Ananda Marga Universal Relief team 6810 Tilden Lane Rockville, MD 20852 301-984-0217 www.amurt.net Baptist World Alliance Designate “Caribbean Relief” 405 North Washington Street Falls Church, VA 22046 1-703-790-8980 www.bwanet.org/bwaid Brother's Brother Foundation 1200 Galveston Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-321-3160 www.brothersbrother.org CARE 151 Ellis Street NE Atlanta, GA 30303 1-800-521-2273

www.care.org Catholic Relief Services Severe Weather Fund P.O. Box 17090 Baltimore, MD 21203-7090 877-HELP-CRS www.crs.org CHF International 8601 Georgia Avenue #800 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-587-4700 www.chfinternational.org Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) Hurricanes 2008 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49560-0600 1-800-55-CRWRC www.crwrc.org Church World Service Caribbean Hurricanes, Appeal Number #6761 28606 Phillips Street P.O. Box 968 Elkhart, IN 46515 1-800-297-1516 www.churchworldservice.org Episcopal Relief & Development "Hurricane Relief Fund" P.O. Box 7058 Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. (800) 334-7626 ext. 5129 www.er-d.org Floresta USA Haiti Hurricane Relief 4903 Morena Blvd., Ste. 1215 San Diego, CA 92117 800 633 5319 www.floresta.org Giving Children Hope/Global Operations for Development 8332 Commonwealth Ave Buena Park, CA 90621 714-523-4454 http://www.gchope.org/ Global Links

Cuba Hurricane Relief 4809 Penn Avenue, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412-361-3424 www.globallinks.org Habitat for Humanity International Haiti Hurricanes 121 Habitat Street Americus, GA 31709 1-800-Habitat www.habitat.org Hands On Disaster Response P.O. Box 546 Carlisle, MA 01741 617-312-2999 www.hodr.org International Relief Teams Haiti Hurricane Relief 4560 Alvarado Canyon Road, Suite 2G San Diego, CA 92120 619-284-7979 www.irteams.org Lutheran World Relief P.O. Box 17061 Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 1-800-597-5972 www.lwr.org Operation USA 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A Culver City, CA 90232 800-678-7255 www.opusa.org Pan American Development Foundation 1889 F Street, NW 2nd Floor Washington DC 20006 (800) 941-0114 www.PADF.org

Plan USA 155 Plan Way Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 800-556-7918 www.planusa.org Save the Children 54 Wilton Road Westport, CT 06880 1-800-728-3843 www.savethechildren.org United Methodist Committee on Relief Haiti Emergency PO Box 9068 New York, NY 10087 1-800-554-8583 www.umcor.org World Concern Hurricane Response 19303 Fremont Ave N Seattle, WA 98133 1-800-755-5022 www.worldconcern.org World Vision P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063 1-888-56-CHILD www.worldvision.org

DETAILS OF ASSISTANCE BEING PROVIDED ActionAid International www.actionaidusa.org 1420 K Street NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005 202-370-9912 (September 10, 2008) A major relief effort is needed in Haiti after two tropical storms, Gustav and Hanna, hit the Caribbean’s poorest nation in less than a week. Raphael Yves Pierre, director of ActionAid in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, said: "The whole country is under water and Hanna has devastated crops everywhere. A coordinated response for immediate relief is necessary now. But the government and international community also need to get serious about prevention so that damage on this scale does not happen again." ActionAid is providing food, water, shelter and emergency medical supplies throughout Haiti and working to build resiliency within these struggling communities so they can fare better in future storms. ADRA International www.adra.org 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring MD 20904 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) (September 10, 2008) In the aftermath of the recent hurricanes, ADRA is assisting hundreds of people displaced in the hard-hit Ouest Department in Haiti by providing hygiene kits and basic food items such as rice, beans, and cooking oil, in addition to mattresses and shelter materials to affected families in eastern Jamaica. ADRA is accepting financial contributions to help the communities in distress. Donations can be made securely at www.adra.org or by calling 1-800-424-ADRA American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee www.jdc.org PO Box 530, 132 East 43rd St., New York, NY, 10017, 212-687-6200 (September 10, 2008) The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is accepting donations to assist the victims of the hurricanes in Cuba. American Red Cross www.redcross.org Haiti Relief and Development Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013, 1-800-RED-CROSS (September 10, 2008) The American Red Cross is helping people affected and displaced by the series of hurricanes that struck Haiti over the last week. Three American Red Cross disaster workers—including its Relief Emergency Response Unit—are currently on the ground leading damage and needs assessments, distributions of essential relief supplies and coordination efforts with the Haitian Red Cross. The American Red Cross is also mobilizing emergency relief supplies—hygiene kits, buckets, mosquito nets and kitchen sets—to assist 15,000 people. The American Red Cross is evaluating additional response options, which may include providing more supplies, disaster workers or cash assistance to help the thousands of people affected by the hurricanes this season. Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team www.amurt.net 6810 Tilden Lane, Rockville, MD 20852 301-984-0217 (September 10, 2008) AMURT is providing food for people in Gonaives and the Anse Rouge area in coordination with the World Food Program and UN peacekeepers. Baptist World Alliance www.bwanet.org/bwaid Designate “Caribbean Relief”, 405 North Washington Street, Falls Church, VA 22046,1-703-7908980 (September 10, 2008) BWAid has sent an initial $10,000 aside for Hurricane Relief. Assistance will be given through our member bodies and/or other Baptist entities with whom we work. Brother's Brother Foundation www.brothersbrother.org 1200 Galveston Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-321-3160 (September 10, 2008) Brothers Brother Foundation, working with colleague agency Food for the Poor, initially is send three 40 foot cargo containers of new clothing and Crocs shoes (over 25,000 pairs) to those in need in Haiti. Additional donations of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and other humanitarian aid will be sent.

CARE www.care.org 151 Ellis Street NE Atlanta, GA 30303 1-800-521-2273 (September 10, 2008) In Cuba, CARE is still in the assessment phase to determine how best to provide support to relief efforts. CARE’s supports long-term development and emergency response in Cuba through local partners, in cooperation with government and local authorities. CARE responded in Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricanes Charley (2004), Ivan (2004-05), and Dennis (2005); and Tropical Storm Noel (2007). In Haiti, CARE is supplying immediate relief items such as water, high energy biscuits, canned fish and hygiene kits, to shelters and families in Gonaives. In the medium term, CARE plans to implement a cash-for-work program for cleanup of mud and debris; work with local authorities to repair the city’s water system and other damaged infrastructure; support small entrepreneurs; and provide psychosocial support and support to families to send children to school. Catholic Relief Services www.crs.org Severe Weather Fund, P.O. Box 17090 Baltimore, MD 21203-7090 877-HELP-CRS (September 10, 2008) CRS has raised over $700K towards identified needs of $2.5M for our relief effort in the Caribbean. We've distributed 9 tons of food and 9 tons of water, as well as 2000 hygiene kits in Haiti. We are working with a partner Caritas Cubana to those in need in Cuba. Our partner says that the immediate needs are ready-to-eat foods, hygiene supplies, bedding (mattresses), kitchen utensils, and transportation costs. CHF International www.chfinternational.org 8601 Georgia Avenue #800, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-587-4700 (September 10, 2008) CHF International, humanitarian assistance and development organization, aims to provide shelter and aid to the stricken population of Haiti. Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) www.crwrc.org Hurricanes 2008, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560-0600, 1-800-55-CRWRC (September 10, 2008) The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is responding to hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hannah, and Ike in Haiti with an initial $40,000 in food supplies and tin roofing sheets to 3,000 hurricane survivors. CRWRC will respond in Gonaives, Port-au-Prince, Petit Goave, Cayes, Jacmel, Fort Mercredi-PaP, Croix des Bouquettes, and Meyer, ranging from the North to the Southern coast. CRWRC's long-established partners in Haiti are community development organizations and Christian churches who support congregations and communities throughout Haiti. All partners report damage in their program areas. Church World Service www.churchworldservice.org Caribbean Hurricanes, Appeal Number #6761, 28606 Phillips Street, P.O. Box 968 Elkhart, IN 46515, 1-800-297-1516 (September 10, 2008) Church World Service is responding by supporting long-term partners in the region. The initial CWS response includes sending a $10,000 rapid response grant to our partner Christian Center for Integrated Development (SKDE) in Haiti for immediate relief efforts. Partners in Haiti have requested 5,000 CWS Hygiene Kits; 5,000 CWS School Kits; and CWS Blankets. CWS also expects to provide assistance to the Cuban Council of Churches, a partner for whom we have long provided material resource support. A response by CWS and its member denominations on the islands of Turks and Caicos is also possible. Episcopal Relief & Development www.er-d.org "Hurricane Relief Fund", P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058 (800) 334-7626 ext. 5129 (September 10, 2008) In response to recent hurricanes, Episcopal Relief & Development is monitoring the needs in Haiti and other hard-hit countries in the Caribbean. Partnering with the Diocese of Haiti’s Development Office, Episcopal Relief & Development is delivering aid to more than 1,000 people in the southern part of the country and providing assistance in the northern part of Haiti to affected populations in response to Hanna and Ike Episcopal Relief & Development is working with local partners in the affected areas to distribute food, medical supplies, clothing and seeds for planting. Floresta USA www.floresta.org

Haiti Hurricane Relief, 4903 Morena Blvd., Ste. 1215, San Diego, CA 92117, (800) 633-5319 (September 10, 2008) Floresta USA is urgently seeking funds to provide emergency assistance to thousands of hurricane victims in Haiti. Our local partner, Floresta Haiti has requested $112,000 to benefit rural farmers by replacing lost livestock, distributing seed beans and undertaking emergency soil conservation measures. These funds will be put to immediate use to alleviate the tremendous destruction and suffering caused by the recent hurricanes. Giving Children Hope/Global Operations for Development http://www.gchope.org/ 8332 Commonwealth Ave, Buena Park, CA 90621, 714-523-4454 (September 10, 2008) Giving Children Hope is collecting donations for hurricane victims and is planning on sending relief to the most damaged regions in Haiti. Monetary donations are currently being accepted at www.gchope.org to procure disaster relief items. Giving Children Hope is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating poverty (domestically and abroad) through disaster relief, health and community development, vocational training and advocacy. For more information, visit www.gchope.org. Global Links www.globallinks.org Cuba Hurricane Relief, 4809 Penn Avenue, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, 412-361-3424 (September 10, 2008) Global Links is accepting financial contributions to support relief shipments of medical aid to hospitals and health institutions in Cuba affected by Hurricane Gustav and Ike. Gifts in kind of packaged current medical supplies and equipment are being accepted, but only with advanced clearance by GL staff. Habitat for Humanity International www.habitat.org Haiti Hurricanes, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709, 1-800-Habitat (September 10, 2008) Habitat for Humanity is assessing the shelter and housing needs created by the storms and will work with local and partner organizations to help families and communities rebuild homes. Hands On Disaster Response www.hodr.org P.O. Box 546, Carlisle, MA 01741, 617-312-2999 (September 10, 2008) Hands On Disaster Response is sending an experienced assessment team to Haiti to determine how we can most effectively bring our volunteer driven model to bear on the needs created by the series of hurricanes that have hit the country. International Relief Teams www.irteams.org Haiti Hurricane Relief, 4560 Alvarado Canyon Road, Suite 2G, San Diego, CA 92120, 619-284-7979 (September 10, 2008) International Relief Teams is working with local partners in Haiti to provide medicines and relief supplies to communities adversely impacted by the recent hurricanes. IRT has already sent more than $100,000 in medicines to local partners, and is preparing to send another air shipment of more than $250,000 in medicines and relief supplies. Lutheran World Relief www.lwr.org P.O. Box 17061 Baltimore, MD 21298-9832, 1-800-597-5972 (September 10, 2008) Through the ACT international alliance, LWR is providing relief assistance in the West and South East departments of Haiti. Assistance includes providing access to clean water and hygiene supplies, medical assistance and additional support targeted to vulnerable groups. Operation USA www.opusa.org 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232, 800-678-7255 (September 10, 2008) Operation USA is providing medical supplies, water purifiers and shelter materials thru partners in Haiti and Cuba. Gifts in kind are being accepted of medical supplies, water purification equipment, energy generation equipment, shelter materials Pan American Development Foundation www.PADF.org 1889 F Street, NW 2nd Floor Washington DC 20006, (800) 941-0114 (September 10, 2008) PADF is collecting cash donations for immediate relief in Haiti and Cuba. PADF's 7 offices in Haiti are coordinating and distributing urgently needed supplies (food, water & shelter). More

assistance is needed and more is on its way to the island. After the relief effort, it will participate in the recovery operations. For Cuba, PADF is accepting cash donations. PADF has a license to offer humanitarian aid. Plan USA www.planusa.org 155 Plan Way, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 800-556-7918 (September 10, 2008) Plan has already sent US $150,000 to Haiti from our emergency disaster fund to begin immediate relief efforts: Providing emergency medical relief — in particular, providing medicinal supplies to three health centers for around 20,000 people; Supporting efforts to prevent the spread of disease; Providing psychotherapy assistance to traumatized children; and Providing basic school supplies. Immediate assistance will be concentrated on the needs of children and families in the worstaffected areas; however, in the longer term, we’ll be assisting with the rebuilding of homes and other community buildings and the restocking of farms with livestock and agricultural supplies. The most seriously affected Plan areas are in the south east of the country, where Plan was the first organization to begin relief work, helping 1,000 homeless people in eight shelters and ensuring that they had access to food and clean water. Save the Children www.savethechildren.org 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880, 800-728-3843 (September 10, 2008) Save the Children is assisting children and families affected by extreme weather in Haiti, which has seen landfall of three tropical storms since the middle of August. Extensive heavy flooding was reported in the following cities where Save the Children provides programs: Jacmel, Gonaïves and Hinche. The situation is particularly serious in Gonaïves, where flooding has paralyzed the city. The agency sent a team to Gonaïves to assess immediate needs and plan for a long-term response. Save the Children is working to reach displaced children residing in shelters in Gonaïves and Jacmel. The agency will establish child-friendly spaces to help address children’s emotional and educational needs and to provide a protective environment. United Methodist Committee on Relief www.umcor.org Haiti Emergency, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, 800-554-8583 (September 10, 2008) UMCOR continues to assess the situation in Haiti. Emergency relief kits and materials will be distributed to displaced people and to orphanages in Cap Haitien. UMCOR Haiti is offering a variety of assistance packages to families including long term access to potable water, cash for work activities to help clean up the affected areas, school kits, cook stove and building materials. UMCOR Haiti is exploring working with the World Food Program and Christian Aid to distribute health and hygiene kits. World Concern www.worldconcern.org Hurricane Response, 19303 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133, 1-800-755-5022 (September 10, 2008) World Concern has a large long-term presence in Haiti, supporting both development and disaster relief programs. Our staff are providing food and non-food items to affected families, and rebuilding agricultural infrastructure. Orphans and vulnerable children in project areas are being monitored closely and provided additional support. Loans from World Concern's micro-enterprise program are being rescheduled. Gifts in kind are accepted, but only bulk foods in large quantities, such as beans, oil, sugar, grains and powdered milk. World Vision P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063 1-888-56-CHILD (September 10, 2008) World Vision has provided 10-day food rations to about 450 families on the island of La Gonave in Haiti, and 1,100 hygiene kits to displaced people in the Central Plateau, and clothing and shelter materials to 300 families in Jean Denis, Haiti. World Vision plans to scale up its relief efforts in the week ahead in close coordination with the United Nations and other humanitarian groups in Haiti. The agency plans to distribute 40 metric tons of food in the city of Mirebalais, along with 150 hygiene kits and 250 cases of water.