Title: Lutherans Support People in Africa, Asia and Middle East ELCA NEWS SERVICE
August 2, 2007
Lutherans Support People in Africa, Asia and Middle East 07-138-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are working to help meet the basic needs of people affected by unrest, war and natural disasters overseas. Through ELCA International Disaster Response, Lutherans provided a total of $270,000 to support the needs of people in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
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.
"There are many needs in the world. ELCA International Disaster Response is helping many communities. We are very grateful to many ELCA congregations for their support and (continue to) seek ongoing financial support for response to many of the disasters" around the world, said Dr. Belletech Deressa, director for international development and disaster response, ELCA Global Mission.
Chad
Conflict among various armed groups in the Darfur region of Africa significantly escalated in 2003, according to Deressa. "The conflict in Darfur continues to be characterized by cross- border violence spilling into Chad, and a reign of terror against people in villages under attack," which is causing thousands of people to be displaced from their homes, she said.
The conflict in eastern Chad is complex, Deressa said. There are refugees from Darfur and from the Central African Republic there, as well as Chad's own internal conflict, she said.
Members of Action by Churches Together (ACT) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) conducted an "assessment mission" in eastern Chad in May and June. Based on the results of the assessment, ACT issued an appeal for funds to provide for the needs of people displaced there.
ACT is a global alliance of 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 LWF in Geneva. The ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF.
"Many people are facing a deplorable health and sanitation situation which gets worse with the rainy season from June to September. Aside from chronic poverty and underdevelopment that marks life for most Chadians, there are three groups of displaced persons currently in Chad -- about 200,000 Darfur refugees who fled Sudan in 2003-2004; about 40,000 Central African Republic refugees in southern Chad; and internally-displaced people affected by the conflict from Darfur," said Deressa.
The LWF is heading and implementing emergency relief efforts in Chad, according to Deressa. Norwegian Church Aid, a member of ACT, will help with water sanitation there. The ELCA responded to an ACT appeal for funds with $100,000. The funds will be implemented by the LWF. "These funds will be used for food, water and other essential basic needs for people living in refugee camps in Chad," she said.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
In the DRC an estimated 16 million people who have been directly affected by hostilities are without access to adequate food or service and have been forced to live with host communities under circumstances that are not ideal, said Deressa.
ACT members in eastern DRC have responded to various emergencies there since 1996. Its current appeal for funds will be used to create income-generating projects for women, provide for food and nonfood items, clean water and sanitation facilities, said Deressa.
"ELCA International Disaster Response has been responding to emergencies in DRC since 1996. It provided $50,000 in July 2007 to help the Lutheran World Federation provide food, shelter and clean water to people in the DRC," she said.
Occupied Palestinian Territories
The unrest in the occupied Palestinian territories "is of great concern," said Deressa. "Many Palestinians have no jobs, and the economic conditions of people in Gaza and the West Bank are getting worse. The Middle East Council of Churches, an ELCA companion agency, is providing food and health care services to the most vulnerable in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The most affected people are children, women and the elderly," she said.
ELCA International Disaster Response sent $50,000 in response to ACT's financial appeal. The funds will be used to purchase food and provide medical assistance for people most affected there.
Asia
"Since December 26, 2004, ELCA International Disaster Response has been providing financial assistance to survivors of the tsunami, particularly in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Somalia," Deressa reported.
In an effort to continue to rebuild after the tsunami, ELCA International Disaster Response provided $70,000 through ACT for the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India. The funds will be used to build houses for the Dalit community of Addathidevi Village, India.
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