International Emergency Response

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and its local partners in the Caribbean are distributing emergency supplies in communities hit by Hurricane Beryl, the first Category 4 storm to ever form in the Atlantic Ocean in the month of June.

The storm ripped through the Caribbean last week, initially making landfall over the island of Carriacou in Grenada. As it swept a destructive path through Barbados, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Grenada and Jamaica, at least 10 people were killed and thousands more were forced to seek refuge from storm surges and strong winds.

In Grenada, which suffered some of the heaviest impacts, an estimated 1,600 people are in shelters. That number that is expected to double, given that 95% of buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Many households in Jamaica have lost roofs and could face mosquito infestations due to stagnant water.

Families urgently need emergency shelter, food, clean water and hygiene supplies to prevent water-borne illnesses like cholera. Those who have lost their homes and other assets such as businesses will need safety and shelter for the short term and support to rebuild and recover.

CRS is working with partners to provide immediate assistance, with plans to help families and communities in their longer-term rebuilding and recovery.

Make Us Shelter, Make Us Strength
A prayer for all those in the path of Hurricane Beryl 
Lord of Heaven and Earth, of sea and sky,
We look upon sisters and brothers 
In the paths of storms 
Beset by rising waters and violent winds. 
In such times, we turn to you. 
You are our shelter, you are our strength. 
You are our comfort and protection. 
Make us these things for our brothers and sisters. 
Make us shelter, make us strength. 
Make us comfort and protection. 
We are your children, your image and likeness. 
Make us more like you, God of all goodness. 
And so, let waters recede, to be replaced by a rising tide of compassion, 
Let winds dissipate to be replaced by the roar of justice, 
That all might know your mercy 
And find safety and hope in the midst of storms. 
Amen

Donate to Hurricane Beryl
CRS EMERGENCY FACTSHEET - HURRICANE BERYL

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Please consider discerning whether God is inviting you to financially assist our sisters and brothers whose whole lives are being affected by the conflict in the Holy Land. A financial donation to CRS is the timeliest way to send emergency aid.

Pope Francis has called on people worldwide “to pray that there be peace in Israel and Palestine.”

Prayer: God of all creation, bring justice and peace to our world.
Teach us to be peacemakers. Guide us in our pursuit of
justice and the common good. Inspire us to welcome all, forgive
all, and love all. Direct us as we walk in the shadow of Jesus: the
Way, the Truth, and the Life. Inspire us to perceive the world
through your eyes, that we might find hope and joy each day,
supportive of each other, for the sake of your Kingdom.
- Author Unknown
 

Donate to the Conflict in the Holy Land

CRS EMERGENCY FACTSHEET - EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN THE HOLY LAND