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ACTION ALERT

Hurricane Mitch Disaster Relief

December 1998

Although the disaster wrought by hurricane Mitch in Central America has disappeared form the headlines, by no means has it ceased to be an emergency. In Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, over 11 thousand have died, 15 thousand have disappeared, and 2 million 300 thousand are homeless. Millions are at risk from the outbreaks of cholera and other epidemics that are beginning to spread thoughout the area.

These countries are in dire need of international support. Please consider the following options for your donations. They are all trustworthy non-governmental organizations with direct contacts in the affected areas.

FOR MONETARY DONATIONS

Guatemala

ASOCIACION DE GUATEMALTECOS (AGU), a San Francisco based organization, is organizing to send funds to Guatemalan organizations working directly in the affected areas.

Make checks payable to AGU/Hurricane Emergency. Send checks directly to Washington Mutual Bank, 3438 Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602, Account # 192-22930-8. Bring any material donations to 870 Market Street, Suite 667, SF CA 94102.


Honduras

CASA ALIANZA (Covenant House) is collecting funds for the people of Honduras through their bank in Costa Rica as the Honduran banks remain closed. They will hand carry cash to Honduras. Make an immediate bank to bank transfer:

Bank Name: Banco Credito Agricola de Cartago (Tel +506 225- 6948)
Bank Branch: Sucursal San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America.
Account Name: Casa Alianza International
Account no: 1509890065
Aba number 019199

Nicaragua & Honduras

The AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE (AFSC) will use funds to support local recovery efforts by providing food and materials most needed, especially blankets, sheets, children's clothes, medicines, and canned foods. Donation will be distributed throught AFSC's programs and program partnerships working in Honduras and Nicaragua, including the Mennonite Social Action Committee.

--Make checks payabel to Hurricane Relief Fund, American Friends Service Committees. To donate to a specific country, write that country in the memo line. Send checks to 1501 Cherry Street, Philadephia, PA 19102. For more information call Carl at (215) 241-7060 or David at (215) 241-7296.


Nicaragua

CENSA (Center for the Study of the Americas), a non-profit research group based in Berkeley, California is collecting funds to send them to the Center for People's Health and Education (CEPS), dedicated to health programs and emergency relief in Nicaragua.

--Checks should be made out to "CENSA" marked "Central American Hurricane Relief Fund." Send to CENSA, 2288 Fulton Street, Office 103, Berkeley CA,
94704.

The NICARAGUA NETWORK calls on all concerned citizens to host emergency fundraisers in your community or to make individual donations to assist the hurricane victims. Checks can be sent to the Nicaragua Network and we will channel the funds to the Augusto C. Sandino Foundation, Nicaragua's largest secular non-governmental organization, which has been involved in disaster relief efforts for over fifteen years.

--Tax-deductible checks should be made out to NNEF/AGJ with "hurricane relief" written on the memo line. Send your donation to 1247 E Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003.

QUEST FOR PEACE is launching a three-month hurricane aid campaign to ship rice and other products for disaster relief. Most needed are monetary donations to purchase the rice in the US since Central American rice is now scarce and expensive. The money will be channeled to the Institute John the 23rd in Nicaragua.

--Make checks payable to Quest for Peace and write "Hurricane Fund" in the memo line of the check. Send checks to PO Box 5206, Hyattsville MD 20782. For more information call Quest for Peace at 301-699-0042 for information about medicine, clothing, blankets, or other products.

El Salvador

CISPES (Committee of Solidarity with the People of El Salvdor) is receiving funds to send directly to CRIPDES, a non-governmental organization that works with people of rural communities in their relief efforts.

Send your tax-deductible donation to CISPES Education Fund and earmarked "hurricane relief", PO Box 1801, New York, NY, 10159.

FOR MEDICAL AND RELIEF SUPPLIES

Nicaragua and Mexico

A PASTORS FOR PEACE CARAVAN is now beginning on five routes through the US. The trucks on the caravan are almost completely filled with aid for Nicaragua and Chiapas, but they can still add vehicles if communities would like to join. Several vehicles will be returning to the U.S., so late additions can caravan back home. Call the Pastors for Peace Chicago Office at 773-271-4817 for information.