THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
SITUATION REPORT: TROPICAL STORM ISIDORE/ CUBA
September 19, 2002


SITUATION: Cuba is bracing for Tropical storm Isidore, which was headed
toward the western part of the island nation today. The storm, which is
expected to become a hurricane, earlier hit Jamaica with heavy rain.

The Cuban government today issued a hurricane warning for central and
western Cuba, Reuters reported, warning residents to expect hurricane
conditions within 24 hours. In November of 2001, Hurricane Michelle – the
worst hurricane to hit Cuba in 50 years -- caused some $1.8 billion in
damage, included serious problems to Cuba's infrastructure.

Isidore is expected to hit the United States along the Gulf of Mexico this
weekend, forecasters said.


RESPONSE: CWS is prepared to assist the Cuban Council of Churches (CIC), a
long-time CWS partner, respond to the emergency.

The Rev. Reinerio Arce, the president of the Cuban Council of Churches was
in New York today, meeting with CWS staff. He praised the CWS assistance
to the council following Hurricane Michelle and noted that there might be
need for similar assistance should Isidore cause serious damage in Cuba.

The CWS response in 2001 included providing the Cuban Council of Churches
with 15 Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) disaster response medicine
boxes, valued at $4,175 each, and $50,000 in CWS "Gift of the Heart"
Health Kits to assist those affected by the disaster.  The medicine boxes
are designed to treat 115 people and contain antibiotics, as well as
aspirin and non-aspirin pain relievers.

"It's always useful to have such medical assistance," Arce said.

Call the CWS HOTLINE for updates: (800) 297-1516.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service
is responding, contact CWS Emergency Response.

Telephone: (212) 870-3151
E-mail: donnajderr@aol.com
After-hours emergency pager: (800) 780-0853
Web site: www.cwserp.org


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