wfn.org | Lutherans Focus on Search and Rescue after Hurricane Katrina

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 30, 2005

Lutherans Focus on Search and Rescue after Hurricane Katrina
05-158-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The major need now is the search and
rescue for survivors of Hurricane Katrina, according to Heather
L. Feltman, director for Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  "Keeping people alive is the
primary task this day," said Feltman, who also serves as director
for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response.
     "Lutheran Disaster Response is identifying retired military
personnel, fire fighters and others with search and rescue skills
and referring them to appropriate officials" in the federal
search for hurricane survivors along the U.S. Gulf Coast, said
Feltman.
     "Evacuation continues to take place, particularly in New
Orleans, which is about 80 percent under water," she said.
Recovery work will not begin until flood waters recede, access to
power and electricity are restored and conditions are deemed safe
for disaster response volunteers, Feltman said.
     "We are still collecting information from ELCA synods and
LCMS districts," she said.  "Information has been somewhat
sporadic, but we know many Lutheran church buildings have
sustained damage.  Hardship grants will be given to congregations
and communities at large for health and child care needs,
temporary housing, and emotional and spiritual care," Feltman
said.
     "Financial gifts are urgently needed to help with a
flexible, efficient and immediate plan for disaster response,"
said Kathryn Sime, director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster
Appeal.
     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said,
"I thank God for all in this church who are offering support
through their prayers for the safety of people who have been
evacuated, those who have lost homes and communities, and those
who are risking their lives in search and rescue efforts."
     Hanson is currently in Jerusalem, West Bank, attending a
council meeting of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).  Based in
Geneva, Switzerland, the LWF is a global communion of 138
Lutheran churches in 77 countries, with 66 million members.
Hanson is president of the LWF.
- - -
DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid
survivors of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto
Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764,
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet:
http://www.ELCA.org/scriptlib/dcm/giving/ddisaster.asp

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news