Agency commits $65,000 to Hurricane Keith recovery efforts
Baltimore, October 13, 2000 - Catholic
Relief Services is committing an initial $65,000 to relief efforts in Central
America and the Caribbean in response to the hurricane that struck the
region earlier this month. The funding will be used by Caritas Mexicana
to work in the affected areas of Tapachula, Veracruz and Tabasco in the
southernmost region of the Mexico.
Over the weekend of September 31 and
October 1, tropical storm Keith was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane.
Producing heavy rains and winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour (125 mph),
Keith passed over the Caribbean coasts of Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador
in its trajectory toward Belize and the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. At
its peak when it approached the nation of Belize over the weekend, Hurricane
Keith caused the worst damage in Belize and parts of Mexico.
According to reports, Veracruz had 400 houses destroyed, 19 people were killed and an unknown number are still missing. Roads and bridges were also demolished. The area of Tabasco had 7986 houses damaged and approximately 40,000 people affected. The municipalities of Tapachula and Pijijiapan reported six people dead and one missing.
CRS has been supporting human development and humanitarian efforts in Mexico since the 1960s. The program is managed by staff based in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Catholic Relief Services is accepting contributions to support relief efforts in Mexico and the other countries affected by the hurricane. To participate in these efforts, send donations, marked "Hurricane Keith," to:
CONTACT:
Kami Carey
(410) 625-2220, ext. 3293
kcarey@catholicrelief.org
OR
Jennifer Lindsey
(410) 625-2220, ext. 3256
jlindsey@catholicrelief.org
Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203-7090
1-800-736-3467
Copyright=A92000 CRS