wfn.org | ACT LOOKS AT PALESTINIAN NEEDS

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

September 12, 1997

ACT LOOKS AT PALESTINIAN NEEDS

Repeated closures of the West Bank and Gaza Strip areas in the aftermath of violence in Israel has
caused an almost complete breakdown of the local economy, according to Action by Churches
Together (ACT).  Thousands of Palestinians, who are dependent upon their work in outside areas or
upon exports of produce, are no longer able to provide food and other critical needs for their
families, ACT reports.  ACT is a worldwide network of churches, including the Lutheran World
Federation, meeting human need through coordinated emergency response.  Although schools are
functioning, many families are unable to provide the required fees and related costs.  The Gaza Strip
has an estimated population of 935,000 people, of whom 650,000 are refugees.  The West Bank
has a population of nearly 2 million people.  The rate of unemployment during closure exceeds 75
percent.  ACT is working with the Middle East Council of Churches to formulate plans for possible
emergency assistance.  The Lutheran World Federation is a worldwide communion of 124 member
churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html