Gustav Slams Haiti, Sets Sights on Jamaica

-MEDIA ALERT-

Coconut Creek, Fla. (August 28, 2008) – New reports of widespread damage in Haiti from Hurricane Gustav are streaming in as the dangerous storm now threatens Jamaica.

According to workers with Florida-based international aid agency Food For The Poor, Gustav caused extensive damage when it roared ashore Tuesday afternoon. It says damage throughout the southwestern portion of Haiti is widespread.

On Thursday, Food For The Poor personnel reported that flooding continued to be a problem in the areas of Les Cayes, Jacmel, Miragoane, Jeremie, and Cite Soliel. Nearly 400 homes near Miragoane had roofs torn off or walls blown in by Gustav’s fierce winds, said a Food For The Poor worker in the field. Food For The Poor also reported that the crowd at its Port-au-Prince feeding center was larger than usual on Thursday.

In Jamaica, Food For The Poor employees had finished storm preparations and were getting ready to respond to any needs once Gustav passes. Food For The Poor said it had pre-positioned relief supplies including generators, portable stoves, tents, and medicines in key areas throughout the Caribbean ahead of the hurricane season.

“We were ready for Fay, we’re ready for Gustav, and with the support of our generous donors, we’ll be ready for whatever comes after,” said Food For The Poor Executive Director Angel Aloma.

Aloma says Food For The Poor is asking for donations to purchase additional building materials for repairs to the homes damaged in Haiti. He says that once the storm passes over Jamaica, they will be able to assess damage on that island.

To help the victims of Hurricane Gustav, log onto www.FoodForThePoor.org or call or call 1-800-487-1158.

Food For The Poor is the second largest international relief and development organization in the nation and the # 1 charity in Florida. With more than 96% of all donations going directly to programs that help those in need, Food For The Poor provides nourishing food, safe shelter, necessary medical care, educational materials, support for orphans and the aged, and much more to the poorest of the poor in 16 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Contact:
Hugh Graf
(954) 427-2222 x 6610



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