THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
SITUATION REPORT: MEXICO FLOODS
November 8, 2007


SITUATION: As thousands begin to emerge from flooded homes and makeshift 
shelters, the residents of Villahermosa in the state of Tabasco, Mexico, 
are now threatened by various ailments and there are now fears of a 
possible cholera outbreak, the Reuters news agency reported.

Estimates of the damage caused by the floods now range at about $655 
million. At least three people are reported to have died in the flooding 
in Villahermosa, which is being called one of the most catastrophic 
disasters in modern Mexican history. Four additional people were also 
killed, and 21 remain missing, in a village in neighboring Chiapas state 
following a mudslide, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times has reported that some environmental 
activists and opposition politicians are suggesting the current flooding 
was caused in part by overbuilding, destruction of wetlands and 
deforestation, and that not enough was done to mitigate against floods 
following 1999 flooding that killed more than 600 people.

More than 800,000 were initially left homeless in flooding.


RESPONSE: This week, at the request of the Christian Church 
(Disciples)-Week of Compassion, Church World Service has sent 1,000 
light-weight blankets to Iglesia Cristiana Ebenezer in Los Fresnos, 
Texas, which will be transporting the blankets to partner groups in 
Tabasco for use by flood survivors.

CWS is also responding to this disaster by supporting efforts of its 
partner agency Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), which has sent 
initial funding support for its affiliate, Iglesia Nacional 
Presbiteriana de Mexico (the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico). 
The INPM is assisting disaster survivors by providing shelter, meals, 
water and basic health services.

Five of the INPM presbyteries are affected by the flooding, and this 
week the presbytery offices sheltered more than 1,000 people. Many of 
the state's regular shelters were evacuated after floodwaters overtook 
them.

The Action by Churches Together (ACT) International Central America 
Forum is assisting INPM in conducting damage and needs assessments and 
is also considering further support.

PDA reports there will likely be longer-term needs associated with this 
disaster response. INPM is currently finishing the long-term recovery 
plan for response to Hurricane Dean that affected three presbyteries in 
the Yucatan, prior to this most recent flooding.

A CWS appeal supporting these efforts will be forthcoming.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is 
responding -- or to make a credit card contribution -- please visit the 
Church World Service Website at www.churchworldservice.org or phone 
(800) 297-1516.

CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151;
Executive Director:  Donna Derr, dderr@churchworldservice.org
CWS / ERP web site: www.cwserp.org

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