PADF Sends Food to Aid Storm Survivors

RCCL, Feed My Starving Children support initiative for Guatemala

WASHINGTON, June 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A major shipment of urgently needed food is en route to Guatemala for the survivors of the devastating Tropical Storm Agatha, the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) announced. (www.PanAmericanRelief.org)

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A shipping container with more than 270,000 servings of dehydrated fortified rice and soy set sail from the United States on Thursday. Feed My Starving Children supplied the food and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. of Miami provided vital financial assistance.

"Tens of thousands of storm survivors will have hot food thanks to this shipment," says John Sanbrailo, PADF's Executive Director. "We applaud the generosity of our donors during this time of need. However, more help is still needed." (www.PanAmericanRelief.org)

First Lady of Guatemala's Office of Social Work will manage the distribution to the most heavily affected areas of the country.

"Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has a long relationship with Guatemala through its more than 200 crew members presently employed aboard our ships and more recently the arrival of our ships to Guatemalan ports of call," says Michael Ronan, Vice President of Government and Community Relations for Latin America, Caribbean and Asia at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We hope our support helps to relieve in some small way the situation for the many Guatemalans impacted by Agatha."

Tropical Storm Agatha hit Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, causing more than 190 deaths and affecting 170,000 people. Guatemala suffered the greatest impact with more than 175 dead.

Earlier in the week, PADF sent food, water and other urgently needed supplies to Guatemala thanks to a cash donation by Chevron, which does business in Guatemala as Texaco. The recipients are living in shelters after their homes were destroyed or severely damaged by the May 30 storm. The shelters, located in the province of El Progreso, house some 2,000 people.

"Tropical Storm Agatha is the start of what is predicted to be one of the harshest Atlantic hurricane seasons in decades," says Sanbrailo.

PADF, the natural disaster response arm of the Organization of American States (OAS), accepts donations from individuals and companies to help the survivors when a natural disaster strikes. Cash donations can be made by calling toll free (877) 572-4484 or by going to PADF's safe and secure website, www.PanAmericanRelief.org.

About RCCL

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 39 ships in service and three under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, www.azamaraclubcruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

About PADF

PADF is an independent, non-profit organization that creates public-private partnerships to assist the least advantaged people in Latin America and the Caribbean. PADF creates economic opportunities, strengthens communities and prepares for and responds to natural disasters.

PADF engages community-based groups, governments and the private sector in the process of implementing solutions for sustainable development.  In the past year, more than 5.6 million people in 18 countries benefited from PADF and its programs. PADF is an affiliate of the Organization of American States. www.padf.org

SOURCE Pan American Development Foundation