Emergency Response

Update: September 7, 2007

Hurricane Felix crashed ashore on Nicaragua's northeast coast just before dawn on Tuesday, September 4. The eye of the storm passed through Sandy Bay, about 14 km north of Bilwi (the regional capital that was formerly called Puerto Cabezas).

While direct contact with the United Church of Canada's major Nicaraguan partner, the Moravian Church, has still not been possible, church leaders have been in touch with the Council of Protestant Churches (CEPAD) in Managua. It will take many days for power and communication systems to be restored, and for damage reports to be received from remote communities.

For more than 35 years, the United Church has worked closely with the Moravian Church of Nicaragua and its development office (now known as ADSIM). The Moravian Church is Nicaragua's largest Protestant church; most of its 100-plus congregations are located in the Atlantic coast regions. Most Moravians in the affected area north and west of Bilwi are Miskito Indigenous people. The church works closely with CEPAD and with other organizations that are responding to the disaster.

The United Church of Canada has advanced $5,000 each to the church and to the development office to assist with their immediate relief efforts, and will respond to partner requests in the weeks ahead.

On September 6, the Rev. Cora Antonio, the church's national superintendent, began a pastoral visit to affected communities and will assess damages and coordinate assistance. In Managua, the Rev. Norman Bent said 80 percent of the Moravian Church's 200 buildings (churches, manses, high schools, the seminary, and a hospital) were damaged.

By mid-afternoon on September 6, a total of 65 deaths had been confirmed in Nicaragua and Honduras. But news reports also said many people were being found alive amid debris in the ocean and along the region's beaches. A total of 40,000 people are reported to be heavily affected.

The Category 5 hurricane caused extensive damage in Bilwi and nearby communities. Civil defence authorities said that about 8,000 houses were destroyed. The roof of the largest Moravian church in Bilwi, Santa Trinidad, had been blown off, and the main dock was destroyed. In Sandy Bay, 99 percent of the houses are said to be destroyed.

Government and non-governmental organizations responded quickly by sending planeloads of food, water, clothing, and construction materials.

Nicaraguan newspaper El Nuevo Diaro has photos of the damage, including some of the Miskito Moravian church in Bilwi.

How United Church Members Can Help

• Pray: From the General Council Office, our thoughts and prayers go out to our sisters and brothers who have been affected by Hurricane Felix. United Church members across Canada are urged also to pray for the people who live in affected communities.
• Donate: If you wish to make a donation, funds collected will be shared directly with United Church partners in the region. Cheques and online donations should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked "Caribbean Hurricane Felix Relief." The funds will be regarded as supragifts.

Please note: Supragifts cannot be counted as M&S Fund credits. However, they are eligible for tax receipts. Congregational treasurers may receive and receipt individual cheques and then forward one congregational cheque to the United Church.

For further information, please contact:

Jim Hodgson
Caribbean/Central America Regional Program Coordinator
Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit (JGER)
Tel: 416-231-5931 ext. 4013
Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4013
E-mail: Jim Hodgson