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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