wfn.org | LWF Regional Office in Nepal Damaged in Bomb Explosion

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

LWF Regional Office in Nepal Damaged in Bomb Explosion
Acting LWF General Secretary Oppegaard Urges Efforts toward Stability and
Security 

GENEVA, 29 April 2004 (LWI) * The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has
expressed shock and dismay following a bomb explosion in western Nepal that
damaged the Department for World Service (DWS) regional office in Dhangadhi
town.

In a statement today, Acting LWF General Secretary, Rev. Sven Oppegaard
described the April 27 incident as "only a small snapshot of the worsening
security situation in Nepal." Two persons who were planting the bomb were
killed by the explosion. The premises of a local non-governmental
organization were also bombed in another attack.

Oppegaard appealed to the Nepalese government, the Maoist rebels fighting for
a communist state, and the international community "to create an environment
in which basic human needs can be addressed." He particularly expressed
concern for the welfare of around 148,000 people in remote communities of the
Himalayan kingdom who depend on services provided by LWF/DWS. 

A local Maoist leader, quoted in some newspapers as having claimed
responsibility for the incident reportedly said the office was attacked
because the "LWF was funded by America." Oppegaard stressed the "LWF is an
international church organization active in humanitarian work, and its
program in Nepal is supported by a wide range of partners around the world."
The LWF will review its work in the region in consultation with its
international partners. 

Unrest has continued in Nepal since King Gyanendra assumed power in June
2001. In the latest protests mainly in the capital Katmandu, thousands have
been taking to the streets demanding the removal of a monarchist cabinet
installed by the King after he dismissed an elected government in October
2002. The Maoists control large swathes of the country of over 23 million
people. (303 words)

The full text of the statement by LWF Acting General Secretary, Rev. Sven
Oppegaard follows:

29 April 2004
Geneva

Statement by Rev. Sven Oppegaard, Acting General Secretary of the Lutheran
World Federation, on attack on LWF office in western Nepal

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is shocked and dismayed following the
attack on the regional office of the LWF Department for World Service (DWS)
program in Nepal. 

On Tuesday, 27 April 2004, at around 20:00 hrs, a bomb exploded at the front
door of the building in Dhangadhi town housing the LWF/DWS regional office in
western Nepal. The two persons who were planting the bomb were killed by the
explosion. No one else was injured in the attack. The building suffered some
structural damages, and office furniture and equipment was destroyed.

Our first concern, after confirming the safety of our staff, is for the
welfare of the estimated 148,000 people living in remote communities in Nepal
who depend on the services provided by the LWF. This incident is only a small
snapshot of the worsening security situation in Nepal, which is increasingly
impeding essential humanitarian and development work in one of the world's
poorest countries. The LWF appeals to His Majesty's government of Nepal, to
the Maoists, and the international community to create an environment in
Nepal in which basic human needs can be addressed.

In the aftermath of the attack, LWF's staff elsewhere in the western
districts have been called back to Dhangadhi, and all planned activities
cancelled until further notice. The LWF will review its work in the region
and the prevailing security situation, in consultation with its partners
internationally.

The LWF is an international church organization active in humanitarian work,
and its program in Nepal is supported by a wide range of partners around the
world. The LWF's activities in the western districts of Nepal focus on
improving the living standards of poor disadvantaged and marginalized groups
such as freed Kamaiyas (bonded-laborers), Dalits, women and children. The DWS
Nepal office provides services in, among others, the fields of education,
health, vocational skills for income generation, and community
infrastructure.

[The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 136 member
churches in 76 countries representing 62.3 million of the almost 66 million
Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas
of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith relations, theology,
humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects
of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva,
Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service. Unless
specifically noted, material presented does not represent positions or
opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an article
contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with
acknowledgment.]
 
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