CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
EMERGENCY SITUATION REPORT: 2008 TROPICAL STORM GUSTAV
August 28, 2008


SITUATION

On the verge of hurricane strength, Tropical Storm Gustav has killed at 
least 23 people in Haiti, eight in the Dominican Republic and displaced 
thousands form their homes.

Church World Service field partners report Gustav's 12 inches of rain 
flooded much of Haiti's agricultural areas, destroying livestock, crops 
and homes. The damage for Haiti is catastrophic, as at least 2.3 million 
struggle with food insecurity.

Losses of housing and infrastructure appear to be heavy in Haiti. With 
roads and bridges compromised, delivering aid will be difficult.

Authorities evacuated 5,000 people in the Dominican republic ahead of 
the storm, and Cuban officials directed 50,000 on the eastern side of 
the nation to seek shelter on higher ground.

The storm is expected to intensify as it enters the warmer waters of the 
Gulf of Mexico, again reaching the hurricane mark. Louisiana Gov. Bobby 
Jindal has declared a state of emergency, activating 3,000 National 
Guard soldiers in case the storm strikes the state, within days of the 
third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.


CWS RESPONSE

CWS has strong partnerships with local, non-governmental organizations 
in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, who have been in contact since the 
storm. As officials continue to assess damage, CWS is ready to support 
partners as they respond to needs.

Since Hurricane Katrina, CWS has worked extensively along the U.S. Gulf 
Coast, building capacity among long-term recovery groups to prepare for 
future storms. CWS Emergency Response Specialists will be in contact 
with recovery groups and emergency officials to assess needs, provide 
training, material resources and project development support.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is 
responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call the CWS 
Hotline, (800) 297-1516.

CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151

Program Director: dderr@churchworldservice.org
Domestic response: bvollmering@churchworldservice.org