Helping Haiti's hurricane victims

After being hit by a series of storms, poverty-stricken Haiti is suffering. Hundreds of Haitians have died and more than 1 million have been affected by Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike.

In a Sept. 5 letter, Haitian Bishop Yves-Marie Pean of Les Gonaives said he and his staff were accommodating 500 people at the bishop’s residence. That was before Hurricane Ike drenched the country Sept. 7.

Now Ike is gathering strength and headed for the U.S.

The following aid agencies are sending out appeals for donations to assist recovery in Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States: Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA,  Development and Peace, Food for the Poor, Catholic Medical Mission Board and Health Partners International of Canada.