Jehovah’s Witnesses are working to assist their fellow believers and other victims of Hurricane Matthew, which struck the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and the southeastern United States in early October 2016.

Approximately half of the 1,400 Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Bahamas were impacted by the hurricane. Food, water, and other necessary supplies were shipped to two locations to care for their immediate needs.

In Cuba, a total of 124 homes of Witnesses were severely damaged and 31 were completely destroyed.

Over 700 Witnesses in Haiti were displaced by the hurricane. A total of 73 homes of Witnesses and 4 places of worship were destroyed. An additional 274 homes and 15 places of worship were damaged. Food and medicine were supplied to victims, and tents were purchased to provide temporary shelter for those displaced.

In the United States, the hurricane damaged 125 of the Witnesses’ homes. Reports indicated that the greatest threat was flooding due to overflowing rivers.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is coordinating the disaster relief efforts from their world headquarters, using funds donated to the Witnesses’ worldwide work. Spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, David A. Semonian, states: “Though no Witnesses lost their lives, we feel compassion for those who did lose loved ones in this disaster.”

Media Contacts:

International: David A. Semonian, Office of Public Information, 1-718-560-5000

Bahamas: Maxwell Dean, 1-242-422-6472

Haiti: Daniel Lainé, 509-2813-1560