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A typical colonia in Texas' border region.
Photo: USGS
August 5, 2008
Needs are becoming apparent by the day as flood waters begin to recede following Hurricane Dolly, a category-2 storm that struck south Texas. The July 23 storm caused more than $750 million in damage and flooded more than 1,500 homes.
Survivors in Cameron , Hidalgo and Willacy Counties are eligible for individual federal assistance. However, because of south Texas' proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, a significant number of individuals with needs will not likely seek out federal help.
CWS Response
Material resources
CWS provided 210 CWS Baby Kits, 210 CWS School Kits, 455 CWS Hygiene Kits, 400 CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets and 150 CWS Blankets to Catholic Social Services in San Juan, Tex., another shipment to the Food Bank of McAllen, Tex. included 260 CWS Hygiene Kits and 200 CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets.
Training and project development
CWS will provide training to new and dormant long-term recovery groups gathering to address cases of need.
Colonias safe water project
CWS will join other partners in providing relief and preparedness capabilities to numerous colonias that suffered damage in the storm. The small, unincorporated villages are scattered across south Texas and, because they are built usually on flood-prone land, are very vulnerable to storms. Hurricane Dolly inflicted significant damage on a number of colonias; some remain unreachable.
CWS will provide funding to purchase and install basic water purification equipment for as many as 150 cases of need. Most colonias lack basic infrastructure, including a potable water source. Potable water availability is compromised in heavy rains.
This response may be revised as needs evolve, and may include any damage from Hurricane Edouard.
Contributions to support this emergency appeal may be made online, sent to your denomination, or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. Please designate: 2008 Hurricane Dolly (# 627-E).
Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526; jdragin@gis.net
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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