BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (ANS) -- Life-saving food aid destined for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) programs in Rwanda is among the cargo of the Maersk Alabama, the ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia.

According to a CRS media release, forty-nine containers aboard the ship hold 860 metric tons of bulgur wheat that are to be used by CRS relief workers for some of the poorest populations in Rwanda.

The news release says: "The wheat will feed 8,000 of that country’s neediest people through two programs. One targets 5,600 of those considered most vulnerable -- people living with AIDS, orphans and those identified as significantly malnourished -- living in the southern district of Rwanda, one of its poorest areas.

"The other program feeds 2,400 people throughout the county who receive food at safety net centers such as orphanages, old age homes and homes for the handicapped.

"The wheat on board the hijacked vessel is a six-month supply for the programs. CRS hopes that the ship will now be able to make its way to its destination of Mombassa, Kenya as any interruption of the food supply for these vulnerable Rwandans could be critical to their health."

The CRS news release adds: "CRS also prays for the safe return of Capt. Richard Phillips who is being held hostage by the pirates."

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency provides assistance to people in more than 100 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed. For more information, please visit www.crs.org  or www.crsespanol.org  

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania and the former Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia, Israel,and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International.