IOCC Helping Others Help Themselves I N T E R N A T I O N A L O R T H O D O X C H R I S T I A N C H A R I T I E S
October 14, 2016( Baltimore, Maryland) International Orthodox Christian Charities( IOCC) is responding to a swath of destruction from Haiti to North Carolina left in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Food, cleaning supplies and other humanitarian assistance is being offered to families recovering from the deadly storm.
“ The situation is really difficult” reported Matushka Rose Legoute of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia( ROCOR) mission in the port city of Les Cayes in Haiti.“ The area was inundated by mud and waste left by the storm water, communication and transport are very difficult, there is no electricity, water taps are dirty and come with mud worms, and the parish icons are all broken and water damaged.”
The city of Les Cayes, where the Orthodox Church of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco Cayes is located, received the full force of sustained wind and water damage from Hurricane Matthew.
“ The hurricane leaves behind thousands of homeless families huddled in shelters far from their homes that were washed away by the wind and fury of the waters,” said Legoute.“ The sheet metal roofs of more than 80 % of the houses were washed away, trees have fallen by the thousands, and many families are left with no source of income.”
In addition to supporting the distribution of food to 500 vulnerable families, IOCC is working to provide emergency supplies to Haiti. Legoute stressed the need for water treatment tablets, antiseptic soap to treat outbreaks of scabies, basic food items, clean-up supplies, and materials for repair and reconstruction of family homes that were damaged or destroyed.
IOCC Frontline responders are also in North Carolina to assess the immediate needs of impacted families and offering emotional and spiritual care. Flood waters from Hurricane Matthew are still expected to crest in some areas of the state where 22 people have died and thousands are displaced. The IOCC Emergency Response vehicle is also being positioned in the area to support volunteer teams of Orthodox Christians to assist with clean-up efforts in cooperation with ecumenical partners.
( photo) The foundation and scattered personal possessions are all that remains of a home in Les Cayes, Haiti, where IOCC is working in cooperation with ACT Alliance and Orthodox Christian partners to provide emergency assistance to some of the estimated 750,000 people in need of aid.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Your gift to the Hurricane Matthew Emergency Response Fund will provide assistance to people who have been affected by this disaster. Your help will provide immediate relief such as emergency aid and recovery assistance, as well as long-term support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit iocc. org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC( 4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P. O. Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21297-0429.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $ 580 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. To learn more about IOCC, please visit our website at iocc. org.
Media contact: Rada K. Tierney, IOCC Media Relations, 443-823-3489, tierney @ iocc. org
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