Press Releases

Tropical Storm Noel Update

Three weeks after the storm, the island of Hispaniola is still reeling from the affects of Tropical Storm Noel. Many creeks and rivers are still running high. Many homes and entire communities still have water in and around them.

The Dominican Republic has been receiving aid from the US and other countries, but the damage is far reaching beyond the immediate help. Agriculture was seriously damaged and many have said they fear a shortage of local produce.

Some communities in the mountains had been closed off to all except those willing to walk or by helicopter. Communities are without running water, and of last report there are 11,000 refugees, 85 people have lost their lives and countless are living in homes that still have water in them. In the central region of the country, rain has been falling again over the past week with a risk of more evacuations (El Caribe, 11/11/07). The additional rain further complicates the efforts of relief and rescue workers.

Caribbean Hurricane “After Hurricane Noel today, November 5th, I took a trip around some villages especially in the southeast. The situation is very terrible” according to Walliere Pierre, NCM Coordinator of Haiti. He further gives this report of affected Nazarenes. The affect of the storm is overwhelming in the Nazarene Churches and communities of Haiti.

Hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed. Gardens and farm plots have been wiped out. Many hundreds of goats, chickens, cattle and pigs are dead.

Schools and churches are damaged and one church was destroyed. This is all on the heels of earlier flooding that has damaged water systems and weakened crops already. Noel is a devastating blow to the already fragile country. The storms of this hurricane season will have seriously detrimental affects for many months to come as people try to find resources to replant crops, replace their herds, repair their houses as well as fix the schools and churches.

Despite the devastation, with your giving NCM Caribbean is responding both in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Food, clothing, mattresses and other resources have been given to hundreds of people in these affected areas. Communities in Bonao have been helped with resources. In addition, a team of volunteers from a non-denominational church in New Jersey and NCM Caribbean joined together to remove the standing water in their community (and the risk of Dengue Fever and other medical problems).

In other communities in the Dominican Republic, NCM was the first to respond. Our goal here in the DR is to distribute through the Nazarene churches, but to also help as many people in the community as possible.

Through YOUR giving, we will continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to the church and local communities in the Caribbean.

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation can mark their checks “Caribbean Hurricane Relief ACM1249 ” and mail them to the General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16,2007

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On-line using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express
OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer

and mail to:
General Treasurer
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64131

In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene

and mail to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.