***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Catholic Relief Services Responds to Flooding in West Africa

CRS field teams poised to deliver emergency supplies

Dakar, Senegal, September 20, 2007 - Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is preparing to assist victims of recent flooding in West Africa. Unrelenting rains that started in July have affected more than 500,000 people in 12 West African nations. CRS will respond with humanitarian aid in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.

The flooding - the worst in recent memory - toppled thousands of homes and destroyed crops. CRS plans to assist families to rebuild their homes and help them revive their fields. Assessments continue and the number of people affected may grow.

Northern Ghana was the hardest hit with more than 260,000 people affected. There, schools, bridges and large tracts of farm land have been inundated, and the government has declared a state of emergency in three northern regions. Initial assessments by the Ghanaian government estimate that flooding caused 18 deaths and the loss of 20,000 homes. Some 8,000 acres of farm land was flooded.

"Most schools are unable to reopen for the academic year because the classrooms have been occupied by displaced people," says Daniel Ayugane, CRS' Head of Programs in Tamale, Ghana. "One displaced woman we talked to in the town of Saboba had taken refuge in a classroom. She said that she had lost all her clothes as a result of the floods. What she was wearing was all she had."

In Burkina Faso, there are 40,000 flood victims, 80 percent of whom are now homeless. Eleven of Burkina Faso's 13 regions have experienced flooding, and more than 30 people have died. In Nahouri District, near the border of northern Ghana, more than 30 inches of rain fell during July and August, according to the government, which has asked for international assistance.

Thousands of Burkinabé who lost homes are sleeping in make-shift shelters or in public schools. With the school year set to resume Oct. 1, finding temporary housing is a must, says Dr. Joseph Sedgo, CRS' West Africa Regional Technical Adviser for Agriculture. He recently assessed the damage in southern Burkina Faso.

"I would describe it as a massive disaster," says Sedgo. "I think what is needed now, based on the discussion we had with the people and in the most immediate terms, is food and a place to stay. After those urgent needs are met, we can begin to look for the medium and long-term ways to help recovery."

Agency field staff will continue identifying critical needs and preparing emergency supplies as needed in both regions.

CRS staff on the ground in Ghana and Burkina Faso are available for interviews. Please contact Lane Hartill in Dakar, Senegal, at (221) 713 5874 or Hilary Roxe at 410-951-7408.

Email Hilary: hroxe@crs.org

Email Lane: lhartill@crswaro.org

Lane's office phone: (221) 889 1587

How to Help:

Donate online: www.crs.org

Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS

Mail a check:

Catholic Relief Services

P.O. Box 17090

Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090

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