VATICAN CITY, SEP 28, 2004 (VIS) - The following communique was released by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" yesterday afternoon announcing that $100,000 has been sent by Cor Unum in the name of the Holy Father to the people of Haiti who were struck by hurricane Jeanne:
"As is well known, Haiti has been struck by the disastrous hurricane Jeanne, which till now has claimed over 2,000 victims in the region of Artibonite, and the regional capital of Gonaives and causing irreparable agricultural damage. There were also victims and damage in the northwest area of Port-de-Paix. The numbers are still approximate: some areas are only reachable by helicopter. In Gonaives, the water did not even spare a dispensary for AIDS patients, killing a missionary as well as his patients; 80% of all houses were destroyed and 250,000 people have been left homeless.
"Exactly four months ago, the tremendous flood of Rio Soleil devastated Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In Haiti alone the disaster caused more than 1,500 deaths. For this reason, the Pope sent Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" to the site on June 22-25 in order to bring a message of hope and an economic contribution for rebuilding.
"Today, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, in contact with the Haitian Episcopal Conference, and in response to the needs expressed by the local Caritas office, is sending $100,000 in the Holy Father's name in order to buy basic necessities: potable water, food and medicine."
CON-CU/AID/HAITI VIS 20040928 (260)
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