The Duke Endowment has created a $6 million fund to provide flood relief in eastern North Carolina.

The Fund for Flood Relief will provide $2 million in immediate aid, along with $2 million each of the next two years to organizations providing relief and health care to flood victims. The endowment plans a streamlined application and approval process, allowing eligible agencies to be paid immediately.

The endowment can make grants available to nonprofit hospitals and children's homes, rural United Methodist churches, the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and districts of the North Carolina Conference, for use in their communities.

Flood victims are still trying to recover from the billions of dollars in damage done by the worst flooding the state has ever seen. The region -- struck by Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd last month -- received record levels of rainfall that caused flash flooding over the 500-year flood plain, destroying entire communities. Hundreds, if not thousands of people remain in shelters awaiting help in rebuilding their homes.

For those who wish to contribute to the relief efforts, monetary donations may be made to the N.C. Hurricane Floyd Disaster Relief Fund, administered by the United Way of North Carolina. Checks should be made payable to N.C. Hurricane Floyd Disaster Relief Fund and mailed to Office of the Governor, 20301 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-0301. Donations are tax-deductible.

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