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Serious flooding is affecting people and livelihoods in and around the regions where Catholic Relief
Services works. Across South Asia, more than 800 people have died in the monsoon flooding, with
millions displaced in India alone. CRS is working with local partners in the eastern Indian states of
Assam, Bihar, Nagaland and West Bengal to provide 135 metric tons of emergency food to
approximately 70,000 of the most vulnerable individuals.
CRS has committed $92,190 in private funds to provide food and long-term agricultural support for
18,100 people in Vietnams' Bac Kan province. Severe flash flooding in May and June, coupled with the
recent flooding in August caused extensive damage to house, crops and roads. Targeted individuals will
receive rice seed to replace destroyed crops as well as assistance from CRS in rebuilding damaged
irrigation systems. To help mitigate future flood disasters CRS will also provide technical training for crop
diversification and the construction of dams and water channeling structures.
In addition to its work in Asia, CRS is concerned about the flooding in Europe and has offered prayers of
support through several local and international NGOs responding to this emergency. "We stand in
solidarity with those afflicted by tragedy in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and
elsewhere in Europe," states Ken Hackett, CRS Executive Director.
How You Can Help:
Please pray for people affected by flooding around the world, especially those who are most
vulnerable: farmers who depend on their crops to feed their families, migrant workers whose
jobs and homes have been washed away, rural villagers who are stranded because roads and
bridges were destroyed in the raging waters. Keep in prayer, also, the relief workers who
bring needed supplies to the people.
This update is provided for informational purposes. Should people in your diocese wish to
make donations, Catholic Relief Services is accepting monetary contributions to support the
agency's emergency response to flood-affected countries in Asia, and for the flooding disaster
in Europe. Please have people specify to which area they want their monies directed.
Contributions collected at the diocesan level can be sent to Catholic Relief Services, P.O.
Box 17220, Baltimore, MD 21298-9663. Parishes and individuals can send contributions
directly to CRS at Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090.
Stay connected to CRS' work in flood affected areas through our website. You can find
information on the emergency pages under Global Flood Watch and on individual country
pages for India and Vietnam. You can also learn about our work in Europe by visiting our
Eastern Europe Regional page. Also find CRS' most recent Press Release detailing the
response to these emergencies.
For more information please contact Karen Smith at ksmith@catholicrelief.org or 410-951-7461.
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