wfn.org | ABCUSA: Tsunami Relief Giving, Now Above $1.1 Million, Is

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

Unprecedented

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 3/3/05)--In what ranks
as unprecedented giving by American Baptists in the immediate aftermath
of a disaster, $1.1 million had been received for tsunami relief efforts
in less than 45 days following the Dec. 26 catastrophe in southern Asia
and eastern Africa.

"What a tsunami of generosity and grace American Baptists have expressed
to the survivors of this tragedy!," noted American Baptist Churches USA
World Relief Officer Lisa Rothenberger. "This response enables us to not
only support emergency relief aid, but also the more costly and
long-term rehabilitation that will need to happen over at least the next
few years. We will continue to support efforts underway and also search
for the least of these--those whose needs, despite the best efforts of
relief workers, will still be neglected in the months and years to
come."

Rothenberger reported that support has already been given to the
following American Baptist partnerships actively engaged in relief
efforts: Church World Service, which is providing relief in Indonesia;
Abundant Life Ministries Association in South India; Church of Christ in
Thailand; the Urban Transformation Center, a ministry involving
International Ministries missionary Jeff Dieselberg; the Family Learning
Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand, where Chuck and Ruth Fox, International
Ministries missionaries, are working; and Norwegian Church Aid, which is
providing relief in Somalia.

According to Rothenberger, "Long-term rehabilitation efforts are still
being laid out by these groups. In a situation as complex as this, with
hundreds of non-government organizations on the ground providing
immediate relief, true collaboration and cooperation are necessary to
assess the needs and maximize the effectiveness of relief being
provided. We will continue to work with these groups, and consider
others as we are made aware of their efforts, to maximize both the
effectiveness and the efficiency of this sacrificial giving by American
Baptists."

American Baptists can continue to respond to the ongoing crisis in Asia
by contributing online to the "Give Now" option available on either
www.abcusamissions.org or www.abc-usa.org.  Churches so doing will
receive credit for OGHS giving.  Contributions also may be made through
normal channels using the Monthly Report of Mission Giving.  All
contributions should be marked "OGHS-Asian Tsunami Relief."

Other updates on the American Baptist tsunami response will be
forthcoming.

K/2005ABNS/05ABN25

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA
x2077 / (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org