The Review travels to observe relief efforts

A Catholic Review staff writer, Chaz Muth, will travel to the Dominican Republic, Nov. 26-30, to bring readers first-hand accounts of conditions there, especially among the poor.

The journey will include visits to programs run by Food For The Poor, the third-largest U.S. international charity organization and the largest provider of aid to the Caribbean and Latin America, serving 16 countries. Though the itinerary is subject to change, The Catholic Review expects to tour orphanages, housing projects, a tilapia farm and other Food For The Poor programs that provide aid, shelter and industry for the citizens of the Dominican Republic.

The trip comes shortly after Tropical Storm Noel devastated crops in the Dominican Republic, damaged roads and bridges, and displaced more than 60,000 people, said Liony Batista, a native of the Caribbean nation and a Food For The Poor project manager for the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras and Guyana.

“It’s the worst storm to hit the Dominican Republic since Hurricane David in 1979,” Mr. Batista said.

The Catholic Review will publish stories and photos in the Dec. 6 issue.