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| People evacuate a flooded area in Villahermosa, Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. Mexico's President Felipe Calderon called the flooding one of Mexico's worst recent natural disasters, submerging at least 80 percent of the oil-rich Tabasco state and destroying or damaging the homes of as many as half a million people. At least 8 people have died. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) |
Press Contact:
Nasserie Carew
Director of Public Relations
202-667-8227 X 561
NGO Contacts:
James Bishop
Director of Humanitarian Response
202-667-8227 X 542
Elizabeth Bellardo
Senior Program Associate
202-667-8227 X 566
Updated November 12, 2007
For more information:
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Flooding in Mexico
In what has been called one of the worst disasters in Mexico’s history, heavy rains since the 28th of October and subsequent flooding has affected over a million people in the states of Tabasco, Chiapas and Veracruz. Homes and crops have been destroyed, and it is estimated that over 80,000 people are living in temporary shelters. The Governor of Tabasco has said that 80% of the state is flooded and 350,000 people are trapped in their homes. Water levels are not expected to recede for a few more days at least, further hampering aid efforts and increasing concerns about the spread of water-born diseases.
InterAction members are responding to this crisis by providing medicines and basic health services, food, water, shelter, blankets and other relief supplies and services. Coming to this disaster with a long history of working in the region with local partners, many organizations will continue working after the emergency response phase to assist the effected communities in their rebuilding efforts.
While InterAction does not accept donations, the
InterAction members listed here are accepting contributions for assistance
that they or their affiliates are providing to those affected by the flooding in Mexico. InterAction members have agreed to abide by a set of standards to ensure accountability to donors, professional competence and quality of service. Addtionally, InterAction has developed guidelines on the most appropriate ways to help those affected by overseas disasters.
InterAction Members Responding to the Flooding in Mexico and How You Can Help:
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ADRA International
Emergency Response Fund, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring MD 20904, 1.800.424.ADRA (2372)
November 4, 2007 – ADRA and its local partners are present on the ground and responding in Tabasco and Chiapas. ADRA Mexico is operating 15 soup kitchens in Tabasco, providing meals for thousands of survivors who have lost their homes, crops, and belongings in the flooding. In the mountainous areas of Chiapas, ADRA is providing hot meals and food baskets for at least 2,000 survivors. ADRA is also providing food aid for nearly 2,200 families devastated by previous natural disasters throughout Mexico.
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American Red Cross
Mexico Emergency Response Operation, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013, 1-800-HELP-NOW
November 5, 2007 – The American Red Cross has contributed $50,000 to the Mexican Red Cross, as well as the deployment of a disaster response worker in support of the Tabasco floods relief operation. The American Red Cross anticipates providing additional assistance, including funds, personnel and/or relief supplies based on needs indicated by the Mexican Red Cross. The American Red Cross is accepting financial contributions to help those affected by the flooding. |
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AmeriCares
Fund for Mexico, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, 800-486-4357
November 5, 2007 – AmeriCares has been providing aid to Mexico since 1989, working with the Mexican Association of Malta to deliver medicines, medical supplies and nutritional supplements to communities in Mexico that lack access to medicine. When disaster strikes, such as the current flooding in Tabasco, AmeriCares reaches out to its partner to offer emergency relief for the people affected. AmeriCares has been providing aid to people devastated by natural disasters for 25 years and has developed the expertise required to deliver emergency supplies and critical medicines to areas destroyed by violent storms. Gifts-in-Kind accepted: medicines and medical supplies.
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Baptist World Alliance/Baptist World Aid
Mexico Floods, 405 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, VA 22046, +1 703 790-8980
November 5, 2007 – Baptist World Aid is working with our member body in Mexico, Convencion Nacional Bautista de Mexico, in providing relief to persons affected by the flooding. Needed items are being purchased in the surrounding areas and distributed by the Baptist community. Funding is needed to purchase basic needs for the affected families.
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Catholic Relief Services
LACRO Severe Weather Fund, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090, 1-877-HELP-CRS
November 5, 2007 – Catholic Relief Services, working closely with Caritas Mexicana and Caritas Tabasco, has committed $1 million to provide food, water, blankets and other basic emergency supplies to thousands of affected families. Long-term recovery efforts will likely include agricultural rehabilitation and housing construction and repair |
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Church World Service
28606 Phillips Street, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515, 1-800-297-1516
November 5, 2007 – Church World Service is responding to this disaster by supporting efforts of its partner agency Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). PDA and its affiliate, Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de Mexico (the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico), are assisting disaster survivors by providing shelter, meals, water and basic health services. Further efforts will include the provision of cleanup and household supplies.
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Habitat for Humanity International
Mexico Floods,
121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498, 1-800-HABITAT
November 5, 2007 – Habitat for Humanity International will work through it's National Organization, Habitat For Humanity Mexico, and with other NGO partners in transitional and permanent housing recovery in the affected areas of Mexico.
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Medical
Teams International
PO Box 10 Portland, OR 97207 800-959-4325
November 12, 2007 – Medical Teams International is sending three medical volunteers to Villahermosa this week to work in shelters for families displaced by the floods and to assist with medical care in rural communities. In partnership with MAP International, Medical Teams International is also air shipping $680,801 in donated medical supplies from Johnson & Johnson. Working with the local churches and the Ministry of Health, Medical Teams International anticipates sending medical volunteers over the next three months.
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Operation
USA
Mexico Floods,
3617 Hayden Ave. Suite A Culver City, CA 90232 1-800-678-7255
November 5, 2007 – Operation USA is collecting funds to help re-establish area's health clinics and hospitals; gifts-in-kind: new supplies in bulk in health, shelter, water purification and energy generation. Operation USA has worked in Mexico since 1981 on disaster relief and recovery projects. |
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Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance and Hunger Program
DR000014, 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202
800-872-3283
November 5, 2007 – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM) in responding to the flooding in Tabasco, Mexico. Five of the INPM presbyteries are affected by the flooding and the presbytery offices are currently sheltering more than 1,000 families. INPM is coordinate the civil defense of Tabasco (CENECAM) and is working with the Department of Health for water and sanitation. PDA has forwarded funds for the immediate purchase of bottled water, food, and bedding for the shelters. PDA is working with Action by Churches Together (ACT) -Geneva in preparing a broader appeal for the crisis. |
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Oxfam America
Global Emergencies Fund, P.O. Box 1211, Albert Lea, Minnesota 506007-1211, 1-800-776-9326
November 6, 2007 – Oxfam is sending experts on water and sanitation to the area and will install two water treatment systems that together have the capacity to provide drinking water to as many as 10,000 people daily. |
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Save
the Children USA
Mexico Floods,
54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880, 800-728-3843
November 5, 2007 – Save the Children has staff on the ground and is working to provide lifesaving relief to families in the flood-devastated state of Tabasco, Mexico. The agency will focus on meeting the immediate needs of displaced children and families, including clean water, food and shelter. The agency has been working in the country for 40 years. |
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US
Fund for UNICEF
333 East 38th Street New York, NY 10016 1-800-4UNICEF
November 5, 2007 – UNICEF, in partnership with the government and international and national non-governmental organizations, has provided immediate humanitarian assistance to children and women. Nevertheless, additional resources are required to ensure that the basic rights of children are met, to contribute to the rehabilitation process of the affected zones and to reinforce emergency stocks as the hurricane season is not yet over. |
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World
Vision
P.O. Box 9716,
Federal Way, WA 98063-9176, 888-511-6548
November 5, 2007 – World Vision is distributing potable water and hygiene supplies to prevent disease outbreaks: things like soap, shampoo, toilet paper, diapers and liquid cleaner. The agency is setting up Child-Friendly Spaces in the shelters to give children a safe place to play, keep learning and regain a sense of normalcy. World Vision also plans to help children access school supplies and other necessities once they are able to return to school. |
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