wfn.org | Disciples aid multiples for Hurricane Mitch victims

["Cathy Hinkle"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: December 1, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CMiller@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

98c-71

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Networks of friendship and solidarity have 
become lifelines as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 
assists Central America church partners in the aftermath of Hurricane 
Mitch. 

	More than $275,000 has poured into the Week of Compassion fund for 
Hurricane Mitch relief, gifts from Disciples congregations and 
individuals. The outpouring of gifts follows the Nov. 14 alert by the 
Week of Compassion Committee that at least $250,000 was needed to 
respond to immediate emergency requests and needs.

	The Rev. Johnny Wray, WOC executive director, said, "Exceeding the 
initial goal is wonderful. However, needs in the region are going to 
be long-term and expensive. For instance, emergency food supplies are 
expected to be needed through 1999; crops for this year have been 
wiped out."

	In light of the great damage the hurricane caused in Honduras, 
Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, even $250,000 may seem to be 
too little. But because of Disciples partnerships with other helping 
agencies, the aid multiplies.

	For instance, a $42,500 WOC grant paid the cost of the first Church 
World Service shipment to Honduras Nov. 12. That shipment included 
more than $300,000 in emergency food, blankets, tents and other 
relief supplies. 

	This week a grant of $30,000 will help transport nearly $1.2 million 
worth of urgently needed antibiotics and vaccines. The medicines have 
been collected by Interchurch Medical Assistance.

	Other Week of Compassion aid will be forwarded to: Action by 
Churches Together for relief and recovery support ($75,000) and 
partners in the region ($100,000) such as the Christian Commission 
for Development (CCD) in Honduras and the Council of Evangelical 
Churches for Denominational Alliance (CEPAD) in Nicaragua.

	Johnny Wray, WOC executive director, said that 100 percent of 
designated gifts to WOC are sent where the giver designates. He also 
noted that Disciples have worked for decades with church partners in 
the affected areas and that the work will continue long after other 
helping agencies have left.

-- end --

Disciples News Service releases 
are available at http://www.disciples.org/dns/index.htm