Hurricane Katrina: Blogging for Relief Day 4

So much of the focus of the news has been on the suffering of the citizens of New Orleans. It is true they suffered a catastrophic disaster---a hurricane followed by massive flooding and all such a thing entails.

We must not forget that many thousands of people are also without homes in Mississippi. Their suffering has been overshadowed.

Mississippi's death toll from Hurricane Katrina stood at 144 on Saturday, according to confirmed reports from coroners and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Barbour had said Friday the total was 147, but he didn't provide a county-by-county breakdown.

In a strongly worded editorial, The Sun Herald of Biloxi-Gulfport pleaded for help and questioned why a massive National Guard presence wasn't already visible.

"We understand that New Orleans also was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, but surely this nation has the resources to rescue both that metropolitan (area) and ours," the newspaper editorialized, saying survival basics like ice, gasoline and medicine have been too slow to arrive.

"We are not calling on the nation and the state to make life more comfortable in South Mississippi, we are calling on the nation and the state to make life here possible," the paper wrote.

While Mississippians have haven't had to deal with the water and such, these people are still without homes, food, water, shelter, and everything else most of use take for granted.

They have begun to receive some help, but they will need so much more in the future.

If you haven't already, please donate to the hurricane relief. The victims of Hurricane Katrina need your help to have their lives back.

You can read more about Blogging for Relief here.

For a list of other blogs participating in Blogging for Relief, please visit here.

I recommed donating to Catholic Charities. Today at Mass our Priest, Father Barnett, told us that 1/3rd of the Catholic schools in Biloxi, Mississippi are damaged. He also said that in New Orleans, every Catholic church, church building, school, and convent has sustained moderate to severe damage.

For a list of other charities or to log your contribution, please visit TTLB.

Please, contribute as much as you can. These people need our help. If you cannot give a financial contribution, please pray for them and their futures. Thank you!