Stories About Emerency Response
Relief Efforts to Reach 40,000 People in Myanmar
CRS is supporting partners on the ground after one of the worst cyclones to hit the region in decades struck this delta region on May 2. »»
Photo Gallery: Iraqi Refugees in Limbo
They escaped violence in Iraq. Now refugees in Lebanon and Syria are struggling to survive. »»
Emergency Aid Continues As Kenya Calms
Working with church partners and other agencies, CRS is assisting thousands displaced by Kenya's post-election crisis. »»
Southern Africa Faces Severe Floods, Cyclones
Hundreds of thousands are displaced by destructive floods. CRS staff in affected countries are assessing needs and overall damage. »»
Floods Wreak Havoc in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador
CRS relief staff are assessing needs and distributing supplies to families who lost homes, crops and livestock. »»
Renewed Crisis in West Darfur
Following renewed violence in West Darfur, CRS is providing emergency assistance in Sirba, Seleia and Abu Siruj. »»
Emergency Food Delivery in Darfur
When new violence disrupts food distributions, CRS-organized food relief committees help issue emergency rations to Darfuri families. »»
Photo Tour: Providing Care in the Face of Peril
In Democratic Republic of the Congo, women facing the deep physical and emotional scars of rape seek healing from a rural doctor. »»
Treating the Atrocity of Rape, Part 3
Lane Hartill recently visited eastern Congo, where he documented CRS' response to the sexual violence that is an atrocity of the ongoing war. »»
CRS Poised to Assist Chad Refugees
CRS is assessing needs and coordinating with our partners in Cameroon to provide aid to refugees fleeing violence in Chad. »»
Photo Tour: Seeking Safety in Kenya
Thousands of families displaced by the post-election violence in Kenya are receiving assistance from CRS and other agencies. »»
2007 Year in Photos
Our year-end roundup salutes the work of our dedicated staff and beneficiaries, whose resiliency rises above the most challenging circumstances. »»
Relief Teams Aid Afghans in Brutal Winter
One of the harshest winters in decades has left villages in Herat and Ghor without sufficient food, heating fuel or access to medical care. »»
Finding Refuge and Hope in Kenya
CRS brings relief to thousands of Kenyans displaced by violence resulting from a disputed presidential election. »»
Aid Continues in Kenya
Post-election violence forced hundreds of thousands of Kenyans from their homes. CRS and Caritas continue to distribute supplies to thousands in need. »»
Java Mudslide Survivors Receive Needed Aid
As floodwaters recede in Java, CRS and the local church continue to respond to the needs of survivors. »»
Helping the Most Vulnerable Recover
CRS has responded to post-tsunami needs in Sri Lanka with a $30-million recovery program — aimed at helping the most vulnerable population. »»
The Rice Fields of Pulo Aceh
Rice paddy fields in Pulo Aceh were left destroyed by the 2004 tsunami, but with the help of CRS, the fields are again producing rice. »»
Rebuilding Hope After the Tsunami
Thanks to the prayers and generosity of thousands of supporters, CRS has made much progress in the first three years of our tsunami response. »»
New Homes and New Lives
After the tsunami, CRS helped find places for survivors to resettle and provided them with beautiful new homes. »»
After the Tsunami, the Power of Vigilance
When community members tired of water rushing into their homes each monsoon season, they took matters into their own hands with the help of CRS. »»
Recovering From Nature's Wrath
Thousands of residents in Mexico and the Caribbean battled massive floods. Now in the second phase of recovery, CRS continues to aid needy families. »»
Good Neighbors
Before the tsunami, Darline and Sofyan didn't know one another. Now, they are the best of neighbors. »»
India Student Parliament Leads School Change
A children's support program, formed in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, is the catalyst for change in southern India schools. »»
A Story of Nothing Left
For Khalam and his fishing community on the Bay of Bengal, nothing is left after Cyclone Sidr. »»
The Meaning of 50 Years
Nearing the third anniversary of the South Asia tsunami, CRS reflects on 50 years of work in Indonesia and the resilience of the communities we serve. »»
Recovery Begins After Deadly Cyclone
CRS and its partner Caritas Bangladesh are continuing to aid and assess long-term recovery for thousands of families. »»
Remnants of Disaster: A Photo Tour
CRS correspondent Caroline Brennan takes us on a tour of a cyclone-struck village. "It is truly a desperate situation here in need of vital support." »»
Needs Mount After Deadly Cyclone
CRS and Caritas continue to reach thousands of cyclone-affected families with food and family kits. »»
Impressions From Tabasco in Peril
View a firsthand account of the devastation affecting thousands of families after massive flooding. »»
$1 Million Committed to Flood Relief in Mexico
Nearly 1 million people are affected and 300,000 still trapped in their homes as Mexico faces the worst flooding the region has ever seen. »»
Recovering From Tropical Storm Noel
CRS continues to provide assistance to families in the hardest-hit areas of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. Thousands are displaced. »»
Life on the Rocks
In northern Ghana, one woman chose to buck tradition and build her home in an unusual place. When the floods came, she was glad she did. »»
Dreaming of Home After the Floods in Ghana
As floodwaters recede across Africa, a new problem surfaces: home reconstruction. CRS is wading in to help. »»
Beneath the Surface: Flooding in Bihar, India
In Bihar, India, a massive relief effort is taking place in villages forced afloat by August's monsoon floods. »»
A Little Mud Goes A Long Way in Darfur
CRS is helping to protect displaced people and the environment in Darfur, »»
Flooding Destroys Homes, Crops in Haiti
Nearly 14,000 people have been affected by deadly flooding in Haiti. CRS staff and partners are distributing, food, water, and household and hygiene items. »»
Vietnamese Communities Hit By Relentless Typhoons
CRS is aiding communities in Vietnam, where a series of typhoons has caused massive flooding and landslides, and destroyed homes and crops. »»
Floods Affect Thousands in West Africa
More than 550,000 West Africans have been affected by flooding — CRS responds with emergency relief. »»
Nicaragua After Felix: Recovery Just Begun
CRS Nicaragua's Conor Walsh describes the damage wrought by Hurricane Felix, which killed nearly 100 people and left thousands homeless. »»
Providing Shelter to Earthquake Survivors
CRS emergency response staff discuss the future, and the past, with Pa Ni'Manhar, a survivor of the September 12 8.4-magnitude Indonesian earthquake. »»
Responding to Flooding in Bihar, India
Bipul Borah was among the first people to respond to flooding in Bihar, India. »»
Shelter for Indonesia's Earthquake Victims
In the wake of three earthquakes in Indonesia, CRS and local partners are distributing shelter kits and assessing needs. »»
Recovery Plan Under Way After Hurricane Felix
CRS staff are distributing relief supplies and planning long-term assistance for lives shattered by Hurricane Felix. »»
Equipping Villages for Disaster
Each year, monsoon rains wreak havoc in South Asia. Through CRS training, locals learn how to lessen the season's impact. »»
Food, Shelter Top Needs for Quake Survivors
CRS continues to provide lifesaving aid and identify critical needs for thousands of Peruvians left homeless by the August 15 earthquake. »»
Jamaican Youth Reach Out to Hurricane Victims
As Hurricane Dean blew over Jamaica, members of a youth marching band helped residents secure their homes and are now assisting in relief efforts. »»
Hurricane Dean Destroys Homes, Roads, Crops
In the months ahead, CRS will help nearly 1,000 families in parishes throughout Kingston and Mandeville. »»
CRS Continues Aid During Relentless Monsoons
CRS and our partners are providing emergency relief to thousands of desperate, flood-stricken families in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. »»
New Shelters for Displaced Families in Darfur
As continued insecurity in Darfur drives people from their homes, CRS builds temporary shelters for families while they await the conflict's end. »»
Relief On Its Way in South Asia Monsoons Region
CRS and partners respond to relentless monsoon floods that have uprooted the lives of millions of people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. »»
Clean Water, Shelter Critical After Flooding
Catholic Relief Services is on the ground, providing emergency supplies to thousands of families affected by Cyclone Yemyin. »»
Aceh Park, A Symbol of Recovery, Renewal and Healing
The Taman Suri Park offers a sense of community to many families that were left devastated by the 2004 tsunami. »»
CRS AIDS Families Affected By Cyclones, Food Shortage
Madagascar has been hit by a series of deadly cyclonic storms leaving families to face famine-like conditions. Learn more on how CRS is helping. »»
Hope in the Face of Violence
More than 3 million people in Colombia have been forced from their homes as a result of ongoing violence. »»
Many Still Displaced in Solomon Islands
The high-powered tsunami that recently struck the Western Province of the Solomon Islands has left thousands of residents homeless and damaged structures. »»
Spring, Heavy Rains Lead to Floods in Afghanistan
In the wake of flooding, landslides and a magnitude 6.2-earhtquake in early April that drove thousands of Afghans from their, CRS responded. »»
Still Hungry in Niger
During the summer of 2005, drought and locust infestations resulted in severe food shortages for Niger. Learn what the situation is like 18 months later. »»
New Clinic Marks New Beginning
The Keyala clinic is part of the Recovery and Rehabilitation Program, a three-year initiative that Catholic Relief Services is implementing in South Sudan. »»
Helping Colombian Refugees in Ecuador
Fleeing Colombia's violence, many have sought refuge in Ecuador, where they live in a state of uncertainty and are often exploited. »»
Sudanese Aid Worker Unprepared for Survivors' Stories
Nothing could have prepared Huda Abbas for the stories she heard from the women forced from their homes by the violence in Darfur. »»
Surviving Typhoon Durian
As Typhoon Durian devastated areas of the Philippines in late November, many families saw their villages turned to ruins and their homes destroyed. »»
Conflicts Across the Horn of Africa
An arc of crisis is stretching across the Horn of Africa, from Mogadishu, Somalia, to N'Djamena, Chad. »»
Behind the Keys: Interview With Paul Welden
Two years after the tsunami, Paul Welden was moved to tears at a ceremony in which 170 people received keys to their new, permanent homes. »»
Unfathomable Loss, Immeasurable Love
In Kerala, Stalin is among the many children who have yet to fully recover from the loss, confusion and trauma they faced after the tsunami. »»
Rebuilding Hope in Aceh
In a region prone to earthquakes, CRS homes, built of brick and cement, meet the international construction codes and are earthquake-resistant. »»
Where Innovation Meets the Most Basic Need
In hundreds of communities recovering from the tsunami, sanitary, working toilets can mean the difference between health and illness. »»
Moving Into Safe New Homes
On September 8, 2006, 450 people in Rima Jeuneu were able to move into their new homes. »»
Growing Pains: Back to School
Almost two years have passed since the tsunami damaged the Devapatiraja school, but things are slowly returning to normal. »»
Shelter Is Everything to Pakistani Family
At the one-year anniversary of the Kashmir earthquake, learn how CRS is helping to rebuild communities and buoying the spirit of hope. »»
Wide-Range Recovery Planned After India Floods
In the aftermath of the monsoon rains, thousands of families still are in dire need of shelter and assistance. »»
Preparing for Volcanic Eruption Saves Lives in Ecuador
When the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador erupted in August, the devastation was much less than many would have expected. »»
CRS Brings Relief to Thousands Displaced By India Flood
A CRS country representative for India describes the devastation as overwhelming. "Homes among the poorest and most marginalized groups are destroyed..." »»
CRS Expands Operations in Lebanon
CRS is expanding its operations in Lebanon with the August 31 opening of a new office in Beirut. »»
Flooding and Landslides in Bolivia
Prolonged heavy rains during January and early February of 2006 led to flooding and landslides in many parts of Bolivia and Brazil. »»
Built to Last
Fatimah, like many others, lost her home and all of her possessions when the tsunami struck her beachside village. Now Fatimah has a new, safe home. »»
Refugee Assistance
CRS' food distributions help Liberian and Ivoirian refugees maintain a healthy diet while they live in refugee camps in Guinea. »»
New Project Brings Relief in the Congo
Through a project in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Katanga province, CRS is reaching families made homeless by an ongoing conflict »»
Volunteers Bring Hope to Quake Survivors
After Yogyakarta's devastating earthquake, volunteers work for the satisfaction of helping neighbors. »»
Calm Under Fire: Joseph Gore Modi
After just 8 months in his position as a radio operation, Joseph Gore Modi's skills and resolve were put to the test when a CRS convoy was ambushed. »»
From Volcano to Earthquake
Jini is caught between the tragedy of the recent earthquake and the volatility of Mount Merapi. »»
'Nothing Can Steal My Spirit'
In the aftermath of the tsunami, Anik Halijah began working for CRS, helping her fellow survivors. »»
Thousands of Families Displaced By Quake
In the aftermath of the 6.3-magnitude that hit Yogyakarta in May of 2006, thousands were forced from their homes and found refuge in CRS supported camps. »»
Business Cooperative Opens Doors After Tsunami
Learn how Ambit rebuilt his joinery business and his life through a CRS-sponsored cooperative in Aceh. »»
Hospital Opens With Spirit of Recovery in Banda Aceh
The opening of a new hospital symobolizes the spirit of recovery in Bande Aceh following the devastation caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami. »»
After Narrow Escape, Quake Survivor Joins Relief Effort
Wiwit Ekewati barely made it out of her home before it collapsed after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia. Now she is helping others rebuild. »»
Sowing Seeds of Recovery
Manoj was among many farmers who were dependent on the land, and determined to become self-sufficient again after the tsunami destroyed their crops. »»
Maryland Trauma Specialist Brings Hope to Children
Dr. Michael Finegan volunteered with CRS in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami and helped thousands of children cope with the trauma. »»
Children Take Rain and Matters Into Their Own Hands
In parts of southern India, water shortages are the norm, but after the tsunami, the situation became critical. Children helped to find a solution. »»
First Steps Toward Rebuilding Take Shape in Sri Lanka
As the shock of the December 2004 tsunami began to wear off, survivors' thoughts turned to rebuilding some semblance of their former lives. »»
Earthquake Strikes Cultural Heart of Indonesia
CRS teams provide relief to the victims of a devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia. »»
Rebuilding Brings New Joy
Like thousands in India, Sukumaran lost her home to the tsunami. Now, thanks to CRS and Caritas, she has a new home and has begun to rebuild her life. »»
Out of Disaster, Homes of Their Own
As the tsunami waters retreated, the villagers of Rundeng, Indonesia, wondered if they would ever again have happy stories to tell. »»
At the Frontlines of the Floods and Landslides
Read the inspiring stories of 4 individuals whose lives changed forever when flooding and landslides devastated parts of India. »»
Explaining the Labels
Refugees. Returnees. IDPs. These labels are often used to describe the people affected by war and conflict, but understanding the terms can be difficult. »»
Finding Hope in Goz Diga
When CRS first arrive in Goz Diga, there was nothing except people who had resettled there. The hardwork and dedication of CRS helped to restore hope for these people. »»
Landslides in the Philippines
Over 1,000 people are confirmed missing after landslides buried a village and school in the central Philippines. »»
Meet CRS Brazil Staff Member Rinaldo Dario Da Silva
Rinaldo Dário da Silva has been with CRS Brazil since the beginning, as a member of the team who started up the country program in 1993. »»
Emergency Aid to Flood Victims in Brazil
Flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rains in northeastern Brazil left more than 85,000 people homeless in two separate events in 2004 and 2005. »»
An Interview With Lane Bunkers
Learn about the beauty and challenges in Guatemala, and the work CRS is doing to meet the needs of vulnerable people there. »»
The Min Tree
Through the Homeward Bound project, CRS is preparing young men for the challenges they will face when they return to their homes in southern Sudan. »»
We Can Start Our Lives Again
As 2004 drew to a close, the world was moved to reach out to those left homeless and orphaned, destitute and traumatized in the wake of the tsunami. »»
After the Tsunami: Reflections From Sri Lanka
Just months after the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated Sri Lanka, Kevin Kostic led a CRS delegation to the affected region. »»
Diocese of Quibdo Integrated Assistance Project
Since 1998, CRS has supported the Diocese of Quibdo, which provides a significant portion of the humanitarian aid in this isolated region. »»
Project Ruth Database
The RUTH project promotes understanding about displaced populations so that effective pastoral intervention programs can be designed. »»
Meet Father Patricio Lopez From the Diocese of Ambato
The Diocese of Ambato and CRS work together to implement health and credit projects, and to carry out emergency response and preparedness activities. »»
Trauma Therapy Project
The Trauma Therapy project helps people in communities devastated by the 2001 earthquakes express feelings provoked by the disasters. »»
Food Shortages in Kano
>Since February 2004, southern Plateau State communities have experienced violent clashes leaving many without food. »»
For Congolese Women, A Lifesaver
In a remote Congolese village, Dr. Freddy Mubuto is the last hope for women enduring perilous childbirth — and unspeakable horrors of war. »»
