wfn.org | CWS/NCCCUSA Responds to Mexico Volcano Threat

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC News 212-870-2252
Internet: carolf@ncccusa.org

NCC7/3/97                       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

***********************************************
EDITORS: When listing organizations receiving funds for 
humanitarian response to the volcanic eruptions in Mexico, 
please include:

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, Attn. Mexico Volcano, #76355, P.O. Box 
968, Elkhart, IN  46515. Phone pledges or credit card 
donations: 1-800-762-0968

CWS works in more than 70 countries, including the United 
States, in relief, development and refugee assistance. It is 
a ministry of the National Council of Churches.
***********************************************

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE RESPONDS TO THREAT OF MEXICO VOLCANO

NEW YORK, July 3 --- Church World Service is responding to 
the eruptions of Popocatepetl, the snow-covered volcano 
located some 30 miles from Mexico City, by sending $100,000 
for blankets, tents, and bedding to assist in the relocation 
of some 3,000 villagers living at the base of the legendary 
mountain.

The villagers are being evacuated to nearby areas where 
temporary "tent cities" will be established as a precaution 
in case "El Popo," as the mountain is called by Mexicans, 
fully erupts. CWS is issuing an appeal for $200,000 to 
assist in the evacuation, as well as to continue funding a 
disaster  training project that had been under way for a 
month prior to the latest eruption.

Following Popocatepetl's most violent explosion since 1925 
on Monday evening, the air in Mexico City has been filled 
with ash, and the Mexico City Airport has been closed 
sporadically this week as ash covered runways. Many 
residents of Mexico City have taken to wearing facemasks.

The rain of volcanic ash covered a large portion of Mexico 
City, as well as the states of Puebla and Morelos, said 
Samuel Lobato, the CWS Regional Representative for Mexico,
Central America and Panama who is based in Mexico City.

The threat of "El Popo" has been widely known for years, and 
the preparedness and training project prepared by CWS in 
Mexico predates the most recent eruptions.

The project promotes community-based disaster preparedness 
training so that communities will be better prepared if "El 
Popo" fully erupts. CWS has provided $10,000 in funding for 
the preparedness program out of its Global Disaster Funds.

Those targeted for training include community leaders of 
some 48 communities, with a total population of 240,000 
persons, in the state of Puebla.

Goals include teaching courses to 70 community leaders, 
including workshops that emphasize a "grass-roots" approach 
to disaster preparedness. The courses, which began late last 
month, are taking place over the course of the summer.

            -end-

 -0-