For Immediate Release March 15, 2011

Contact: Roger Conner (703) 236-6218 (301) 252-7912

Catholic Charities USA Update on Japan Quake/Tsunami Impact

Alexandria, VA Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), among the country's largest human services and disaster response organizations, continued to express its ongoing support and prayers today for the people and places of Japan so devastatingly impacted by the most powerful earthquake and tsunami to ever hit that nation. It also reported - through its contact and preparation over the weekend with Catholic Charities agencies in Guam, American Samoa, Hawaii and the U.S. Western coast - that fortunately those territories and states did not experience any major disaster impact. "As the news out of Japan continues and the concern of nuclear explosions and leaks grows the severity of the situation deepens our awareness and increases the need for a global response," said Kim Burgo, Senior Vice President of Disaster Services and Response for CCUSA. "We must be ever-vigilant in our prayers and ever-mindful of the human need that will be with the people of Japan as they begin the lengthy process of recovery." Caritas Japan is the affiliated Catholic organization handling disaster response in Japan. Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org), which handles international disaster response, is the primary U.S.-based organization receiving donations to pass along to Caritas Japan. Numerous individual Catholic Charities agencies from cities around the country are receiving donations directly which will in turn be channeled through either Caritas Japan or Catholic Relief Services to assist with relief. For more information about Catholic Charities USA visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org. About Catholic Charities USA Catholic Charities USA is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. Catholic Charities USAs 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.

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