Catholic Charities USA Disaster Response Team Updates Situation in American Samoa Alexandria, VA—Catholic Charities USA’s disaster response team on the ground in American Samoa reports a “huge continuing need” to provide basic life-sustaining and shelter necessities such as water, food and tents for the victims of the tsunami/earthquake that hit 12 days ago. Teaming with other relief organizations, Catholic Charities USA and locally-based Catholic Social Services are operating a series of Community Distribution Sites to insure that goods and supplies donated by American Red Cross and others immediately get to all of the outlying villages and people. In addition, Catholic Charities USA has contacted the National Coalition for Children in Disasters to help find mental health counseling for school-age children who have been traumatized by the loss of life and home. The need is for a private voluntary non-profit group with a specialty in this area to partner with Catholic Social Services to provide short term mental health counseling to children. 40% of the island’s population are children. Beginning this past Monday (October 12), members of the Catholic Charities response team visited remote areas and villages spanning the entire island to deliver water and snacks directly to anyone and everyone in need. Communications and delivery processes to reach those in need remain challenged. As with Katrina—and last year’s Ike—Catholic Charities USA is committed to a presence in American Samoa. To provide donations to support the Catholic Charities USA critical relief efforts in American Samoa, please go to http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org -30- |