Title: ELCA Provides Funds to Address Four Emergency Situations Overseas ELCA NEWS SERVICE
November 22, 2006
ELCA Provides Funds to Address Four Emergency Situations Overseas 06-186-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided a total of $250,000 Nov. 21 in response to an emergency appeal for funds issued by Action by Churches Together (ACT).
The ELCA is a member of ACT -- a global alliance of Protestant and Orthodox churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergency situations worldwide. It is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), in Geneva. The ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF.
Coordinated by ELCA Global Mission, International Disaster Response channels its funds through international church organizations and relief agencies. Funds provide for food, medicine, drinking water, emergency shelter and other materials for survivors of disasters.
The ELCA sent $75,000 to support individuals and communities as they rebuild homes and businesses in the wake of recent fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The funds sent to ACT will be implemented by the Middle East Council of Church (MECC) Inter-Church Network for Development and Relief, which is addressing the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
The church sent $75,000 to provide emergency food, medical and other humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The funds sent through ACT will be implemented by MECC's Department of Service to Palestine Refugees.
The ELCA provided $50,000 to assist families affected by recent floods in India. The funds sent to ACT will be implemented by the Lutheran World Federation in India.
The church sent another $50,000 for relief and rehabilitation work related to drought in Eritrea. These funds sent to ACT will be implemented also by the Lutheran World Federation.
INTERNATIONAL DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors of major disasters outside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include: ELCA International Disaster Response, PO Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764, 1-800-638-3522 and http://www.ELCA.org/disaster/idrgive on the Internet.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog