Convoy of Hope responds to Katrina-like flooding

Images of the Mexican state of Tabasco are reminiscent of Katrina's damage to the Gulf Coast in 2005; in place of the lush, tropical landscape the area is known for, are huge brown lakes with only the treetops visible above the waterline. An estimated 300,000 people are trapped in their homes with helicopters and rescue boats plucking victims from pockets of refuge. President Felipe Calderon calls it one of the worst natural disasters in Mexico's history.

Responding to a request for assistance, Convoy of Hope staff has been in regular communication throughout each day with local partners there. Convoy of Hope disaster responders are laying the groundwork for a full-scale response once rivers have crested and flooding subsides.

"We refer to this as a compound disaster - though the flooding and the threat to life is the primary concern at this point, there will be long-term implications such as severe economic issues due to the loss of agriculture and industry," says Convoy of Hope's International Project Director Gary Higgins.

"The amount of water is incredible," says Tabasco Governor Andres Granier. "We have lost 100 percent of our crops and 70 percent of the state is under water."

One million people, about half of the state's population, with an estimated 500,000 homeless are seeking relief from the worst disaster in the state's history.

"We are just like New Orleans. All the water that comes in has to be pumped out," Granier says.

Despite the throngs of sandbags placed along waterways, several rivers overflowed their banks last week, pouring over into hundreds of villages and towns, including the state capitol of Villahermosa.

President Felipe Calderon flew to the oil-rich state on the country's Gulf coast to assess the damage and promised more soldiers and rescue workers. Residents had refused to leave their flooded homes because of reported looting in the absence of police protection.

To donate toward Convoy of Hope's international disaster relief efforts, or for more information about the organization, visit www.convoyofhope.org.

— Kristin Kubitschek, AG News

Caribbean flooding impacts ministry

Following heavy rains over a 12-day period, Tropical Storm Noel has added insult to injury causing severe flooding throughout the Caribbean and Central America. The devastation in several countries has captured the attention of the Assemblies of God-affiliated compassion ministry, Convoy of Hope.

Convoy of Hope Public Relations Director Kristin Kubitschek told AG News that staff members are on location distributing relief supplies in Nicaragua, Haiti and El Salvador. Also, in-country partners in the Dominican Republic are assessing needs there.

Reports from the areas state damage includes loss of life, damaged and destroyed businesses and homes, hundreds of contaminated wells, mudslides, significant crop damage and sanitation issues that accompany flooding.

Among those caught in the powerful Caribbean storm are Assemblies of God World Missionaries Larry and Dee McNeill of Latin American Theological Seminary. On Thursday, McNeil said Noel had been pounding the Dominican Republic classroom where he taught for several days.

“The normally peaceful brook behind the dinning room is now a raging river,” McNeill reported. “Electric power has been off for two days. Although water is flooding the entire campus, there has been no water for showers for days, making the hot, humid Bible College almost intolerable.”

However, students on the island – all seasoned ministers – aren’t complaining.

“In spite of the hammering rain and violent wind, ministry leaders of Dominican Republic are studying a master’s degree program in ministerial leadership,” McNeill reported. “They are pressing on to get every drop of benefit from their courses of study.”

— Dan Van Veen, AG News, and John W. Kennedy