Catholic Charities Readies to Provide Help in Immediate Aftermath of Alabama and Other Southern Tornadoes

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Jan 24, 2012, 01:24 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) and its local agencies in impacted areas have mobilized to immediately assess damage and prepare to serve the human need resulting from the tornadoes that struck Birmingham, Alabama and other parts of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee early Monday morning.

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"We established immediate coordination with our Catholic Charities agencies—particularly in Birmingham, and are gathering information rapidly," said Rev. Larry Snyder, President of CCUSA. "The tragedy of natural disaster and the toll it takes is always difficult, but in this case, Alabama is still recovering from the brutal tornadoes of 2011. This is a very tough way to begin the new year. The physical and emotional impact becomes overbearing."

In 2011, Catholic Charities USA and its local agencies responded to the huge need created by numerous natural disasters, providing relief and care in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Joplin, and Minot, ND, and responding to the wild fires in the Southwest and to the flooding in the Northeast, following Hurricane Irene.

To help Catholic Charities assist those in need please visit the Catholic Charities USA Disaster Donation Page.

Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for more than 10 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA