Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Cuba are still recovering after being hit by Hurricane Gustav — which killed 100 people on its path across the Caribbean — and Tropical Storm Hanna, which has caused severe and dangerous flooding, especially in Haiti.

In the cities of Gonaives and Cayes, flooding prompted evacuations of hospitals. The scene was described similar to September 2004, when tropical storm Jeanne killed more than 2,000 people.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is contacting partners in Haiti and members of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) network to determine an appropriate response. Many areas are inaccessible, but information gathering, assessment of the damage and coordination of relief efforts is ongoing.

These countries are also in the path of Hurricane Ike, currently a category three storm after being downgraded today from a category four. and the hurricane season's 10th tropical storm — Josephine — is moving west.

Special Invitation to Prayer

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches has issued a Special Invitation to Prayer for this coming Sunday, September 7:

In the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav that wrecked church buildings, homes, and flooded communities in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Gulf Coast United States,

And now with the forecasts of the potential damage that will come with Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike,

Let us call upon our churches on the Lord's Day this coming Sunday, September 7 to pray and to respond to this devastation, to bow and unite our hearts, praying for:

• those who lost loved ones
• those who are missing
• those who lost their homes, church buildings and businesses;
• first responders, rescue workers, relief agencies, church aid workers
• hospitals, doctors, nurses
• all those evacuated or needing to evacuate

We extend our love and prayers to our sisters and brothers of the affected areas, and our solidarity with them for the facing of this hour.

Almighty and gracious God, calm the storms, outside and inside us. Bring the waters down. Extend your loving-kindness, mercy and compassion upon all, we pray. Thank you for aid workers, first responders, churches, communities and families who are extending a loving, helping hand to one another. Grant us Your grace that we may respond in love, with kind and determined action, and with fervent prayer: mourning with those who have loss, laboring with those who seek to rebuild, and aiding those who seek to prepare for the next storm.

Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.