DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE raises $13.5 million for Haiti

MONTREAL, Feb. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - The international development organization DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has raised $13.5 million for emergency relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti.

The organization is one of the registered charities eligible to participate in a matching funds program for individual donations received before February 12th. The matching program is administered by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has had a continuous working partnership with CIDA for more than 40 years.

"We saw a tremendous coordinated effort among Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools, and groups across Canada. The bishops of Canada mobilized strong support throughout the Catholic community, who thought of creative and vibrant ways to raise money to assist the people of Haiti. Most of our donations came from these events and actions that took place in communities from coast to coast. The generosity of the Canadian public has been outstanding," said Michael Casey, Executive Director of DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE.

As the Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis, the international emergency relief network of the Catholic Church, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is participating, along with other Caritas groups, in the Caritas network's emergency response, which includes the distribution of food and hygiene kits, providing clean water to camps for those left homeless, providing medical treatment and services, distributing tents and installing mobile latrines.

The organization is now in the process of planning for the reconstruction phase in Haiti. It is drawing on its five years of experience working in Tsunami-affected countries to help develop a longer-term recovery program to rebuild communities and livelihoods devastated by this disaster.

For further information: Kelly Di Domenico, Communications Officer, [phone] ext. 365, [email protected]; www.devp.org