The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is accepting donations to support church-backed relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina, the enormous storm that in August devastated New Orleans and the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Cheryl Curtis, PWRDF executive director, sent a message of solidarity and assurance of prayer to the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. PWRDF said it would ask Canadian Anglicans to support the relief work of Church World Service, of which the U.S. church is a member.

Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal church, called for donations to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), which has been helping dioceses in the areas affected by the hurricane.

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Bishop Griswold was in contact with bishops of the affected areas and was told of the "unimaginable ravages" that it wrought.

He urged Episcopalians to donate funds to the work of ERD saying resources are needed "for the monumental task of reconstruction and rebuilding."

Many churches were destroyed by the hurricane. Reuters news agency reported that Katrina's wrath left behind "hellish scenes of death, damage, and chaos," particularly in New Orleans and Biloxi and Gulfport, Miss.

Donations for the victims of Hurricane Katrina can be sent by cheque to "PWRDF, U.S.A. Hurricane Katrina Relief," and mailed to PWRDF, The Anglican Church of Canada, 80 Hayden St., Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2. For credit card donations, contact Annie Au-Yeung at (416) 924-9199 ext. 355. Do not send credit card numbers or information by e-mail or fax. Donations can also be made through the www.canadahelps.org Web site, designating PWRDF and Hurricane Katrina.

Donations to ERD can be made via its Web site at www.er-d.org or by calling ERD at 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129 or by sending a cheque payable to Episcopal Relief and Development, Box 12043, Newark, N.J. 07101-5043, U.S.A.