The dioceses of North Carolina and East Carolina suffered enormous damage in devastating floods caused by Hurricane Floyd in September 1999 with many victims still unable to return to their homes.

Some people have slipped through the relief safety net or don't qualify for government aid - often non-English speaking migrant workers and their families, and the elderly. The Diocese of East Carolina has directed its resources towards these groups. In addition to Hurricane Floyd, two other hurricanes in the area destroyed many crops and eliminated employment for migrant farm workers, who were left in the United States with no money and no way to get back to Mexico, or move on to Florida for the winter citrus harvest.

The Diocese of North Carolina distributed nearly $400,000 to discretionary funds of Clergy in the Rocky Mount convocation. $25,000 was given to the Episcopal Farmworkers Ministry, and $10,000 to assist farmers in completing claims for government assistance for their losses. Other donations were made directly from one parish to another, and are not included in the diocesan total.

East Carolina raised $430,000 for flood relief, more than 80% of which had been distributed by Christmas. The remainder, and any new contributions, will help to fund long term relief efforts. $50,000 helped to provide travel to Mexico for migrant workers stranded by the floods without money or jobs.

"Some migrant workers live under crude conditions," explained Keith Merritt, director of Episcopal Farmworkers Ministry, who helped purchase a new van for deliveries and transportation in Newton Grove, North Carolina, as well as food, clothing, medicine and blankets.

Item from: The Living Church