Catholic Relief Services
Local use of CRS funds
For every dollar that you contribute to Catholic Relief Services, 25¢ stays here in the Diocese. Thankfully, we have not had any natural disasters in recent years. Because of this, we have found other ways to help the needy. For the last two years, we have contributed $4000.00 to processing cheese that farmers donated in "milk dumps." The cheese was then distributed to food pantries in the La Crosse, Vernon and Sparta countries. Your generosity has helped farmers protesting their unjust recompense do something useful with their milk, and has fed the hungry at the same time.
CRS commits $150,000 to Haiti
February 25, 2004, Baltimore, Md - With more than half of Haiti now beyond government control and ongoing instability restricting the delivery of humanitarian aid, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) today announced it has allocated just over $150,000 in emergency and humanitarian assistance for those in need in the northern part of the country and in Port-au-Prince. The funds will be disbursed in cooperation with local church organizations.
CRS/Haiti staff have been in contact with communities and partners in the north, and report that rural villages lack food, household items, medical supplies and materials for shelter-a result of ongoing violence, looting and the suspension of normal commercial activity. The agency is organizing support for the parish of Dondon and other local parishes in the northern department to distribute basic necessities.
Staff from the CRS/Dominican Republic program are assessing the tense situation along the northern border with Haiti, exploring ways to provide needed assistance in the event of an increase in refugees and displaced persons. CRS/Haiti Country Representative Dula James will travel to the north in the coming days with a United Nations assessment team in a further attempt to open the way for relief shipments. In the southern peninsula area, CRS and the local Catholic bishop have been active in successfully preventing armed conflicts to date between pro- and anti-government groups.
CRS has worked in Haiti for 50 years, providing assistance in the areas of food security, HIV/AIDS care, safety net programs, civil society, health, water and sanitation, education and agriculture.
To contribute to Catholic Relief Services efforts, send donations to:
Catholic Relief Services “Haiti Crisis”
Office of Justice and Peace
P.O. Box 4004
La Crosse, WI 54602-4004
How can you help?
1. Pray. Visit CRS for resources to aid in prayer, education and action.
2. Stay informed. Continue to visit CRS for the latest updates on their work.
3. Make a donation. Support CRS' immediate and long-term rehabilitation work in Iraq. Your support is needed.
Donations can be made:
4. Share your thoughts. Log on to CRS to access a form that you can use to e-mail your prayers, comments and reflections.