To the editor:

At a meeting held last week, a coalition of McGill groups has been formed dedicated to providing relief aid to Honduran communities devastated by Hurricane Mitch. The McGill Hurricane Mitch Relief Coalition aims to coordinate the efforts of McGill groups currently working on Honduran relief and to mobilize the McGill community to mount a campus-wide relief effort.

The coalition will use the logistical infrastructure established by the Mosquitia Campaign to funnel the McGill relief effort directly to communities in the Mosquitia region of Honduras. A time frame of six months has been established for the relief effort. During this time period we aim to provide emergency relief (in the form of food, medicines and other supplies) to communities in the mid-Patuca region of the Mosquitia until the next rice crop can be harvested.

The coalition is in the process of approaching other McGill organizations to support the relief effort. The campaign will be seeking donations from the McGill community, corporate sponsors and the Montreal community at large.

GROUPS IN THE MCGILL HURRICANE RELIEF COALITION

Mosquitia Campaign

Mosquitia Campaign, in conjunction with former colleagues in Honduras, has established the logistical infrastructure to channel relief aid directly to communities in the mid-Patuca region of the Mosquitia. Collection points have been established at three locations on campus to collect donations: Stewart Biological Sciences Building main lobby, west wing), Burnside Hall (MGM lab, fifth floor) and Redpath Library. Students from the World University Services of Canada have collected $500 in direct donations at the McGill locations.

Cash donations are being received on our behalf by Development & Peace -- so far, several thousands of dollars have been received. Corporate sponsors are being approached to obtain donations in kind. Donations greater than $10 are tax deductible. To donate, call: 1-888-234-8533 (VISA or MasterCard accepted). Please be sure to specify "Mosquitia Campaign."

Cheques should be made payable to "Development & PeaceÐHurricane Mitch Mosquitia Campaign." Send cheques to Development & Peace, 5633 Sherbrooke St. E., Montreal, H1N 1A3. Name and address should be clearly indicated on the cheque in order to receive a tax receipt.

Contact: Kendra McSweeney or Sarah Dalle at 490-9650.

The Project, SALSA and CCS

These three Students' Society-sponsored student organizations raised $1,500 last week through samosa sales and a collection booth in the University Centre. Half of these donations will go towards the Mosquitia Campaign, the other half will be donated to Hurricane Georges relief. A "door-to-door ghetto raid" was organized in the McGill ghetto to collect food, clothes and cash donations for Hurricane Mitch.

Contact: Brad at 844-1610.

The Law Students' Association

LSA has raised $650 in donations which will be given to Development and Peace for Hurricane Mitch relief in the Mosquitia region. This money was raised through direct donations; all proceeds of a samosa sale sponsored by the International Law Society; the donation of all proceeds by the LSA from their weekly Coffee House; and the donation of all proceeds from a recent disco party.

The LSA annual food and clothing drive is focusing on Hurricane Mitch relief efforts. They are asking for donations of the specific items requested for the Mosquitia region. An information kiosk will be set up by the LSA to collect further cash donations and to keep people informed of the situation.

Contact: Elizabeth Drent at 398-6966.

Newman Centre (McGill Chaplaincy)

The Newman Centre is providing logistical support to the McGill Hurricane Relief Coalition and will be coordinating with the Mosquitia Campaign to make contacts in Honduras.

Contact: Renata Furst at 398-4106.

Goods collected by the McGill Hurricane Relief Coalition will be sent in a first shipment later this month. The shipment is expected to contain approximately 3,000 lbs. of food and medicine. Any organizations or individuals interested in volunteering to pack and label boxes should contact Mosquitia Campaign or The Project.

Sarah Dalle
Mosquitia Campaign