PWRDF expands relief work in Haiti and Cuba

As Hurricane Matthew dissipates at last, the extent of the storm’s effects in Haiti and Cuba is being assessed.  And the numbers are staggering.  Over 1.4 million people affected in Haiti and 175,000 in Cuba.  Houses were destroyed, roads damaged, bridges collapsed, crops lost, trees downed.

To date, PWRDF has sent $40,000 for relief work in Haiti and a further $20,000 for relief work in Cuba.  Both these grants are through the ACT Alliance, whose members were active in both countries long before the hurricane and will be there long after this relief work is completed.

ACT members in Haiti, working before the storm, stockpiled relief supplies in communities near the hurricane’s path, enabling them to distribute 1500 hygiene kits and 500 emergency shelter kits, along with 500 food kits.

The major needs in Haiti are shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene and food.  There is particular concern about the spread of cholera and the loss of crops and livelihoods.  New crops will need to be planted as soon as possible to ensure people have food in the months to come.

In the meantime, shelter, food, hygiene kits, drinking water, chlorine tablets, and mosquito netting will be provided to vulnerable families affected by the storm.

In Cuba, the focus is on providing food security, water and sanitation, shelter and psychosocial support. Food for 30 days will be provided, as well as tools and seeds to help farmers to re-plant the crops that were destroyed.

Hygiene kits and water purification systems will be provided to families and communities, and community members will help to build ecological latrines and to repair damaged water wells.  Programs for children, youth and others will help them to deal with the trauma of the hurricane.

Construction materials will also be provided for 300 households to help them rebuild the houses that they lost.  In addition, these households will receive household supplies to replace those that were lost in the storm.

You can support PWRDF’s continuing relief efforts in Haiti and Cuba:

On-line

You can designate your online donation for “Haiti Response”.

 By Phone

For credit card donations contact:
Jennifer Brown
416-924-9192 ext. 355; 1-866-308-7973
Please do not send your credit card number by email or fax.

 By Mail

Please make cheques payable to “PWRDF”, mark them for “Haiti Response” and send them to:
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario  M4Y 3G2

 PWRDF Donations Contact:

Jennifer Brown
416-924-9192 ext. 355; 1-866-308-7973

 PWRDF Humanitarian Response Coordinator

Naba Gurung
416-924-9199 ext. 321; 1-866-308-7973