CARLSBAD, CA- Within hours of Hurricane Felix striking Honduras' Miskito Indian Jungle, World Emergency Relief (WER) launched a multi-leveled emergency aid response, led by WER Board member Gary Becks. WER's disaster team expects to arrive in Tegucigalpa, Honduras's capital, early Wednesday, where they will coordinate with local relief organizations including WER's own office in the center of the city.

WER's team will distribute medical supplies and assist local relief efforts using supplies in WER's regional warehouse near the airport. Fortunately, Becks was able to contact WER's Miskito Indian project coordinator in Puerto Lempira today, arranging transportation so his team can quickly reach stricken villages, many of them reachable only by dug-out canoes.

WER is also rushing two 40-foot containers of food, blankets, medical and emergency supplies to relieve the hurricane victims unable to evacuate in time. WER's office in Tegucigalpa will be the organization's staging area for emergency relief supplies for the duration of the crisis.

WER's response effort will coordinate with disaster units from Honduras' National Fire Service. Hurricane Felix will be the first major regional test of the new EMT training materials WER has provided throughout Central America.

WER has a well established relationship with Miskito Indians, having sponsored several medical team visits to the indigenous people. WER's medical clinics in the jungle villages have given many natives full medical care for the first time in their lives. Knowing that the Miskito Indians frequently face starvation when their crops are flooded, WER purchased rice seed and assisted Miskito farmers' replant rice fields on higher, flood-resistant ground in 2006.

World Emergency Relief is a global family of seven charities sharing a common vision and core values. Our vision is "giving children a living chance," by addressing the practical, emotional, spiritual, educational and economic needs of children, their families and their communities.

For more information about how you can help World Emergency Relief and victims of Hurricane Felix, please call 760.930.8001 or 888.484.4543 (toll free). Donations can be sent to: World Emergency Relief, P.O. Box 131570, Carlsbad, CA 92013.