wfn.org | ACT Plans Response to Nairobi Bombing

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

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

August 13, 1998

ACT PLANS RESPONSE TO NAIROBI BOMBING
98-29-166-AH

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Action by Churches Together (ACT) members in
Nairobi are planning a coordinated response to the Aug. 7 bombing disaster
there.  ACT has issued an appeal for $150,200 to address immediate and
long-term needs of primary and secondary victims of the bomb blast and
alleviate lasting trauma-related psychological and social problems.
     ACT is a worldwide network of churches, including the Lutheran World
Federation, meeting human need through coordinated emergency response.
     According to ACT "the disaster is still at a crisis stage and
receiving worldwide  media attention.  However, the disaster has not
substantially jeopardized or altered the overall security situation in
Nairobi."
     The Lutheran World Federation and the National Council of Churches of
Kenya (NCCK) are at work on immediate needs appraisal, a responsive longer
term trauma counseling program, a family social support package and
replacement of some urgently needed equipment of the NCCK Emergency
Response Unit.
     "Church House," the NCCK headquarters is located only 225 feet from
the site of the former U.S. Embassy.  An estimated 5,000 people were
injured in the terrorist bombing, with 224 confirmed dead.   Twenty staff
members from the NCCK are among the injured.
     Church House suffered serious damage to  windows, doors, partitions,
electrical equipment, telephones, computers and other equipment.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director 1-773-380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html