Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is assisting people affected by severe flooding in Mexico and El Salvador.

In the southern Mexican state of Tabasco, a week of heavy rainfall caused massive flooding, killing one person and forcing nearly a million people to escape the rising waters by seeking higher ground. In neighboring Chiapas, four people were killed and 7,000 were evacuated due to floods.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon visited the region and offered “all help humanly possible” to the more than 300,000 Tabasco residents whose homes were flooded or damaged and to the thousands of farmers whose entire harvests were destroyed.

Two-storey water levels have completely cut many towns off from civilization, requiring boats and helicopters to rescue people stranded on their rooftops. Thousands of people remain in emergency shelters and in need of provisions. In partnership with the Diocese of Southeastern Mexico, Episcopal Relief and Development is providing food, first aid supplies and other emergency services to help those impacted by the floods.

“We are extremely worried about the situation in Tabasco and Chiapas,” says Rt. Rev. Benito Juarez, Bishop of the Diocese of Southeastern Mexico. “Thank you to Episcopal Relief and Development for their concern and for thinking of us.”

After two weeks of pounding rain in eastern El Salvador, areas of the region are under water and many homes have been washed away. Working with the Diocese of El Salvador, Episcopal Relief and Development is providing food, clothing and household essentials to families left homeless by the rains.

To help people affected by the floods in Mexico and El Salvador, please make a donation to ERD’s “Emergency Relief Fund” online at: http://www.er-d.org/, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development “Emergency Relief Fund” P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. An independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief and Development’s programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Working with the worldwide Church and ecumenically, Episcopal Relief and Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.