Disaster Relief

Natural disasters can strike anywhere without notice. Merciless earthquakes, storms, floods, landslides and eruptions can cause unimaginable damage and claim precious lives. Depending where these natural disasters hit, families can lose homes, property, their means of livelihood… and they may even suffer injuries or fatalities.

On January 12, 2010, Port-au-Prince, Haiti experienced an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale. This catastrophic quake shattered the lives of countless families. Food For The Poor operates a feeding center in Haiti, along with several other programs. By having an established network of resources throughout Haiti, Food For The Poor was ready to provide disaster relief quickly and effectively.

Food For The Poor also provides services and aid to 16 other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. While we hope and pray that natural disasters will not devastate these poverty-stricken areas, sometimes all we can do is respond urgently and efficiently to emergency needs that arise.

Our goal is to serve and provide aid to the poor in the countries we serve. By working with local partners in these areas and establishing a variety of important programs — such as feeding, housing, education and medical care — we are positioned to respond when natural disasters strike.

FAST FACTS - DISASTER RELIEF

Haiti experienced four tropical storms in 2008 that severely damaged the transportation infrastructure and agricultural sector.

Over the past decade, about 258 million people have been affected by natural disasters worldwide annually.

A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when the speed of its winds is more than 74 mph.

It is more difficult to find clean water than food after a water-related disaster, because water supplies become contaminated.

According to FEMA.gov, natural disasters killed more than 220,000 people in 2008, making it one of the most devastating years on record. Most people aren't prepared for a disaster, especially in countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Because of generous donors like you, Food For The Poor is able to provide lifesaving aid to survivors in countries affected by natural disasters.

- March 2010