Japan Relief Efforts (News from National)

Dear Vincentians,


After a disaster occurs there are three phases- Rescue, Recovery, and Relief. In Japan, the critical and current Rescue phase is also being impacted by the Nuclear Power Plant crisis. The protocol for International Disasters is that the Council General issues an appeal for funds to the National Councils around the globe. Until that appeal is issued we do not send out an appeal to Councils and Conferences from the National Office. We are not first responders and we will probably be involved in relief efforts. We do have a small presence in Japan in particular in the area of the epicenter. At this point prayers and patience are what is most needed.

As an update on our relief efforts in Haiti- we have two staff working on the ground in Haiti. We have sent funds to help with the Cholera outbreak and we are expecting to begin approving micro finance loans either this week or next. Hopefully by the end of this month we will be approving scholarship funds for several schools.

Your continued financial support for Haiti Relief will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and God Bless

Roger Playwin
National Executive Director
Society of St. Vincent de Paul