Donations from Diocese near $1 million in Haiti relief effort
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has notified Bishop Frederick F. Campbell that donations from the Diocese of Columbus to aid the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, now total $998,612. Of that amount, about 59 percent came from special Haiti relief collections in parishes and 41 percent from direct donations to CRS from people in the diocese.
In writing to Bishop Campbell, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, chairman of CRS, and Coadjutor Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, head of the USCCB subcommittee on Latin America, expressed “our heartfelt thanks to you and your faithful for your contributions to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. In the months since the earthquake, CRS has distributed food and water to hundreds of thousands of people, while providing emergency shelter and medical care to many thousands more. We are doing everything possible to help rebuild lives and communities for the long term. But our task is only beginning. We will continue to call for your prayers and support as our brothers and sisters in Haiti recover from the devastating earthquake.”
Thus far, CRS has taking in more than $143 million for the effort in Haiti. Those funds have provided for the following direct assistance:
- Distributed food to nearly 900,000 people. Currently providing food to more than 90,000 students in more than 270 schools, and monthly food rations to more than 100 orphanages and child-care centers in Port-au-Prince and Les Cayes, benefiting nearly 10,000 children.
- Provided emergency shelter materials to more than 114,000 people.
- CRS health care team performed more than 960 emergency operations and conducted 62,000 outpatient consultations.
- Supported hundreds of thousands of people with food, water, sanitation, shelter materials, and protection, including at two of the largest camps for the displaced. Established five "child-friendly spaces" for unaccompanied children at camps, regularly attended by more than 1,500 children.
- Installed more than 600 latrines and hand-washing stations, as well as potable water tanks and inflatable water bladders, in Port-au-Prince and environs, providing an estimated 375,000 gallons of water per month.
- Provided assistance to local and international partners in Haiti, including 164 Church partners.
Donations are still desperately needed for the continuing rebuilding effort in Haiti. Persons wishing to aid in this effort may send checks to Catholic Relief Services in care of the Finance Office, Diocese of Columbus, 198 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215.
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