Week of
May 05, 2008

Cyclone hits Myanmar (Burma)   Officials in Myanmar (Burma) are reporting that more than 22,000 people have been killed by Tropical Cyclone Nargis, which hit the country's heartland on Saturday (5/3). State radio has reported that another 41,000 people are missing, and as many as one million may be homeless. Three-quarters of the structures in the Irrawaddy Delta region were reportedly damaged by fierce winds, rain, and storm surge. In the storm's aftermath, prices on food, fuel, and building supplies have shot up 300 percent. CWS partners report that communications throughout Burma have been compromised. ...More

Global food crisis threatens millions   Millions of people across the globe face malnutrition because of rising food prices. In some countries, hunger and starvation are looming threats. The Reuters news agency estimates basic food prices have gone up anywhere from 45 to 80 percent. Hunger kills an estimated 10 million people every year, and as food becomes more expensive even those who were once marginally secure in their ability to find food are in danger of slipping into hunger and malnutrition. ...More

Vulnerable families in Pakistan empowering themselves and their communities   Some 750 rural women in Mirpurkhas, in lower Sindh province, are gaining basic math and literacy skills, becoming aware of social issues, and learning to garden with the help of Church World Service and partner The Lower Sindh Rural Development Association (LSRDA). ...More

Tornadoes strike parts of south-central and eastern U.S.   On May 2, tornadoes and high winds tore through parts of the nation's mid-section. Hardest hit was Arkansas, where seven people were killed. Parts of eastern Texas, Missouri, and Illinois were also affected. Earlier, severe weather systems during the last week of April caused damage across Texas and Virginia. In north and west Texas, several dozen homes were damaged in April 24 tornadoes. On April 28, three tornadoes were reported in southeast Virginia. The strongest of these hit the city of Suffolk, damaging more than 120 buildings. ...More

CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets and Baby Kits needed   CWS is asking congregations and groups to help replenish the supply of CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets and Baby Kits for distribution to domestic and international partners. Most recently, Church World Service has provided Emergency Clean-up Buckets to partners in Missouri and Arkansas for clean-up following storms and floods there. And, CWS Baby Kits are being distributed to vulnerable families in Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. ...More

New homes dedicated in Mississippi   On May 2, 22 new homes built to replace those destroyed by Hurricane Katrina were dedicated in West Gulfport. Sixteen of the homes were made possible in part with grants through a collaboration between Church World Service and Habitat for Humanity International. Some 500 houses have been repaired or rebuilt through the joint CWS/Habitat collaboration that began in April 2006, following the 2005 devastation by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The goal by the end of this spring is 645 homes. ...More

Check out alternative gifts for Mother’s Day   Looking for a unique Mother's Day gift? Take a look at the Church World Service Best Gift catalog at www.churchworldservice.org and surprise the special people in your life with "gifts" that bring help and hope to families in need....More