CCBN Aids Hurricane Felix Survivors

Centro Cultural Batahola Norte Action Update

Centro Cultural Batahola Norte Announces Assistance to areas affected by Hurricane Felix Managua, Nicaragua - September 6, 2007 - With reports of Hurricane Felix's devasting impact to Nicaragua's Caribbean (east) coast, the Centro Cultural Batahola Norte is cooperating with local and international organizations providing financial and material aid to the region. See below for details on the extent of damage and how you can help with relief efforts. Report of the Damage The Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) of Nicaragua is located 550km from the capital Managua. The fragile wood-slat houses of the mostly indigenous populations are dispersed among small peninsulas that extend out to the ocean, making access difficult. An estimated 200,000 Nicaraguans in the RAAN live in conditions of extreme poverty. The Nicaraguan Army Operations Center informed that 5,505 houses have been destroyed in the entire region of the RAAN. In some communities, up to 95% of houses and other buildings were damaged. Over 35,000 people are currently affected. Crucial staple crops (rice, beans, corn) have been completely flooded out. Help is urgently needed to feed, clothe and house the thousands of people affected. The Centro Cultural Batahola Norte is organizing in our local community to collect material aid for our compatriots in the RAAN. We also extend this invitation to you, our international supporters, to contribute to the relief and reconstruction efforts as you are able. How to Help Many trustworthy local organizations working in the hardest-hit areas are responding to the emergency and can use your financial support in any amount. Funds will be used to transport material aid from Managua to the Coast and also to purchase perishible food supplies locally in the affected communities. For tax-deductible emergency giving: NICARAGUA NETWORK has created a special on-line donation channel for Christian Medical Action; all support will go to CMA's relief efforts. Christian Medical Action is part of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) project and will be receiving funds through UMCOR and ACT through this Advance Project Hurricanes 2007. Visit www.nicanet.org. CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, a partner agency of Christian Medical Action. Visit www.churchworldservice.org. UNITED METHODIST CHURCH via the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Visit the UMCOR website at www.gbgm-umc.org/umcor, go to Current Emergencies and Select Hurricanes 2007(Hurricane Dean Recovery); UMCOR Advance #982511. CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES. Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS or online at www.crs.org. You can also write a check to: Catholic Relief Services P.O. Box 17090 Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090 Memo portion of check: Hurricane Felix The Centro Cultural Batahola Norte is honored to collaborate with these sister organizations in relief efforts. We are inspired by our founder Sister Margarita Navarro, who worked tirelessly to mobilize assistance following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Thank you in advance for your support.

About Centro Cultural Batahola Norte The Centro Cultural Batahola Norte is a community-based educational and cultural center, founded in 1983 to help the women and children of poor neighborhoods of Managua become self-sufficient. Our mission statement invites us "To live a more just and convivial style of life, according to the Gospels and with preference for the poor, through holistic education and culture which lead to the discovery of Human Rights, Self-Esteem and Equality."

Centro Cultural Batahola Norte Jennifer Marshall General Coordinator www.friendsofbatahola.org www.centrobatahola.org