Haiti and India:

1
Haiti and India CAFODs Emergency Response
2
Weather has affected thousands of people in
Haiti, India and Nepal in the last few weeks.
In Haiti, Tropical Storm Fay was quickly
followed by Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and
Ike. They swept across the country leaving more
than 500 dead.
3
Almost 70,000 people are now living in temporary
shelters. Torrential rains continue to lash the
country. Gonaïves, on the west coast, is one of
the hardest-hit cities. Already many people
have succumbed. Many more will die if we cant
get them the immediate support they require.

Bishop of Gonaïves, Monsignor Yves
Marie Péan
4
"Many remote areas of the country are also badly
affected and hundreds of thousands of people need
help. Access is difficult because of mountainous
terrain, poor roads and poor communications. The
challenges in getting supplies through are
enormous. Our thoughts and prayers are with the
Haitian people." Clare Dixon, CAFODs head of
Latin America and the Caribbean
5

• The urgent need is for drinking water, food,
  clothes, beds, batteries, blankets, towels,
  chlorine, mosquito nets, and medicine.
• CAFOD has already sent 50,000 to its partners
  Caritas Haiti and Caritas USA (CRS) to help the
  people of Haiti.
• Caritas will support 500 families with
• construction materials for temporary shelters
  and latrines
• restoring safe water and sanitation
• help to rebuild their livelihoods and
  agriculture.

The increase in world food prices means that the
people of Haiti need our support more than ever.
6
In north-east India on 18 August the Kosi River
flowing in from Nepal burst its banks and altered
course. Floodwaters raged through more than
1,000 towns and villages that had not seen floods
for decades. Surging waters swamped 100,000
hectares of farmland. They destroyed wheat and
rice crops and left drinking water scarce.
7
Many are still marooned in their villages,
either unable to get away or afraid to leave
their houses and belongings. Conditions are
pretty grim in the relief camps. The government
is providing some rice and dhal but there is a
need for more, and for supplementary food. Mary
Lucas, CAFODs programme manager for India
8
Jamuna Prasad, in front of a temporary shelter at
Chakla, Madhepura.
We dont have food or drinking water, no clothes
to change and no place to sleep but still, we
are living.
Jamuna Prasad, who lives in the temporary
shelter at Chakla, Madhepura CAFOD has pledged
100,000 to assist those left devastated by the
floods in India and Nepal. More will be needed in
the coming months.
9
CAFOD partner Caritas India hopes to help up to
270,000 people - providing food, household items,
medical assistance and temporary shelter through
its diocesan offices and local groups. CAFOD is
concerned that the situations in these countries
may worsen, and therefore require a long-term
relief effort.
Through its partners and the generosity of its
supporters, CAFOD will continue to assist the
people of Haiti, India and Nepal in the months to
come.
10
Compassionate God, We pray for all those who
have suffered the effects of storms and
floodwaters this summer. We pray especially for
the people of Haiti, India and Nepal. Give
strength to those who are working alongside
them. We thank you for the work of CAFOD
partners to feed the hungry, house the homeless,
comfort the bereaved and heal the sick. Bless
all those who continue to make this work
possible. Amen
11
Picture credits Francois Poidatz/CRS,
Caritas Suggestions for hymns I, the Lord of
sea and sky (Here I am, Lord)