United Church Launches Emergency Appeal for Pakistan

From "Broadhurst, Tom" <tbroadhu@united-church.ca>
Date Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:45:11 -0400

For Immediate Release -- Tuesday August 17, 2010

United Church Launches Emergency Appeal for Pakistan

Toronto: The United Church of Canada announced today that it is
launching an emergency appeal for donations designated for flood 
relief
and reconstruction in Pakistan.

The United Church will receive donations to its Emergency Response 
Fund
to be used by the ACT Alliance, a global network of 100 churches and
church-related organizations that work together to provide 
humanitarian
assistance and long-term development. ACT members in Pakistan are
working diligently to deliver assistance including food, water, tents,
kitchen kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and emergency medical care.

Gary Kenny is The United Church of Canada's Program Coordinator for
Emergency Response. He says the United Church has a solid history of
working with its in-country partners and organizations like ACT to
deliver aid to affected communities in a timely, efficient, and
effective manner. Delivering aid to the affected communities is
extremely difficult, because they are in mountainous, remote, and
hard-to-reach regions. Nonetheless Kenny says he's confident that the
initial emergency funds the United Church has sent-$65,000 from
emergency relief funds and $75,000 through its membership in the
Canadian Foodgrains Bank-has reached or will soon reach communities in
need.

"Patience, ongoing consultation, and careful planning and monitoring 
are
critical requirements in responding effectively to a humanitarian 
crisis
as complex as that currently unfolding in Pakistan," says Kenny.

Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Church's Pakistan
appeal either through their local congregations or directly to The
United Church of Canada's national office: 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite
300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4. Cheques should be made payable to The United
Church of Canada and marked "Pakistan Flood Relief." Online donations
can also be made at www.united-church.ca/pakistan.

Additional background material related to the United Church's Pakistan
appeal has been posted on The United Church of Canada's website
(www.united-church.ca/pakistan). Please watch for updates as new
information becomes available.

>For media enquiries, please contact:

Mary-Frances Denis

Program Coordinator, Media and Public Relations
The United Church of Canada
Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 2016
Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016
E-mail: mdenis@united-church.ca

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