“We have an opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in Christ,” said Steve Shank, representative to the Americas at Eastern Mennonite Missions. “EMM workers and local church partners are on the frontline of the devastation from these storms. Basic items such as clean water, clothing, mattresses, and tin roofing are needed.”

In the past few months major storms have battered Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, and Belize – triggering mudslides and flooding, causing thousands to become homeless, and devastating large portions of crops and roadways. EMM is sending $20,000 to these countries.

“Some experiences are life changing but this is a life-saving effort,” Shank said. “These people don’t have access to food or water.”

To participate in this relief effort, contribute to EMM and note “Hurricane Relief.” Mail your check to EMM, contribute online, or include it during the scheduled relief offering that will be taken December 30 in many Lancaster Conference churches. This relief offering is designated for many budgeted relief items such as school supplies, refugee aid, and combating poverty and malnutrition in many countries. But the severe damage from the recent storms is taxing an already overcommitted relief fund.

In Vietnam, five typhoons hit the same area during November. The flooding has damaged countless acres of rice paddies and left thousands homeless; as many as 400,000 homes were submerged under floodwaters. An estimated 100 people died and as many as 2,400 households are facing the possibility of starvation. Nguyen Quang Trung, president of the Mennonite Church of Vietnam, said the storms “have taken away the livelihood of many people. Our fellow countrymen and our brothers and sisters in the churches are living in a precarious situation and are lacking food.”

In Belize, Hurricane Dean, a category five hurricane, struck the northern part of the country in late August. Massive flooding destroyed homes. A Belizean Mennonite church in the southern part of the country mobilized to bring clean water, food, and temporary housing materials to the people there.

“It’s usually the local initiative that makes the difference,” Shank said. “Government funds can be very slow in arriving. The Mennonite church in Belize acted right away.”

When Hurricane Noel hit the Dominican Republic in October, severe flooding occurred due in part to the steep mountains and simple homes of many of the people living there. At least 87 people died, and more than 78,000 people were left homeless.

-Linda Moffett, EMM staff writer

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