Pope donates $100,000 toward relief efforts in flood-stricken Haiti

Published: 2004-09-27

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II dedicated $100,000 to fund relief efforts in flood-stricken Haiti. Through the Vatican's charity arm, "Cor Unum," the pope earmarked the money to help Caritas Haiti purchase drinking water, food and medicine after the string of powerful tropical storms and hurricanes that recently hit the Caribbean. The pope's gift was announced by the Vatican Sept. 27 after Caritas Internationalis launched a major appeal for funding relief efforts in Haiti. Caritas is seeking $900,000 in funding and donations to provide supplies to tens of thousands of people left homeless by Tropical Storm Jeanne. Mudslides triggered by heavy flooding killed more than 1,600 people and injured 100,000 more in Haiti after the storm hit the island in mid-September. At least another 1,000 people are reportedly still missing and feared dead.

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