Title: Lutherans Support Recovery Efforts in Bangladesh ELCA NEWS SERVICE
October 16, 2007
Lutherans Support Recovery Efforts in Bangladesh 07-166-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), through its International Disaster Response, provided $75,000 to support recovery efforts in Bangladesh, where heavy rains produced floods in 39 districts.
The onset of flooding by Himalayan-fed rivers affected an estimated 9 million people according to the government of Bangladesh, said Dr. Belletech Deressa, director for international development and disaster response, ELCA Global Mission. Of the 9 million people about 400,000 are living in temporary shelters, she said.
"The flooding destroyed houses, roads, farmland and gardens, schools and health clinics. (It has) isolated communities from essential health services, market centers and schools," said Deressa.
"In northwest Bangladesh, where ELCA companion agency Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) works, damage was most extensive in the district of Kurigram, one of the poorest in the country. Although the water is receding, there remains a massive need to assist devastated communities and families with recovery. Besides the immediate needs for reconstruction and repair of damaged houses, there is a pressing need to promote alternative income opportunities and other livelihood options to help families survive economically until work or income is available," said Deressa.
ELCA funds were sent Oct. 12 to Action by Churches Together (ACT) and will be implemented by RDRS, an ELCA companion ministry and ACT partner, to secure food supply and income generation, water and sanitation, and the rehabilitation of homes in the river-belt areas of the Kurigram District, reported Deressa.
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.
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 Lutheran World Federation (LWF), both in Geneva. The ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF. - - - 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