wfn.org | ELCA Helps Rebuild Central America after Hurricane Mitch

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 2, 1999

ELCA HELPS REBUILD CENTRAL AMERICA AFTER HURRICANE MITCH
99-170-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) sent $62,000 to Iglesia Luterana Fe y Esperanza de Nicaragua
(Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope in Nicaragua) and $20,000 to Iglesia
Luterana Costarricense (Lutheran Church in Costa Rica) June 16 for
humanitarian assistance and the construction of homes, schools and
community clinics following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch.
     Hurricane Mitch killed more than 12,000 and left millions homeless
in Central America Oct. 29-31.  The Category 5 hurricane was the
strongest storm to hit the Atlantic Ocean since Hurricane Gilbert in
1988.  The intense and sustained precipitation caused widespread
flooding and mud slides in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and
Nicaragua.
     The Lutheran church in Nicaragua will construct 20 housing units -
- 10 in Aguespalapa, a province in Chinandega, and 10 houses in the
province of Somoto -- and remodel a community health clinic and school
in Aquespalapa.
     The Lutheran Church in Costa Rica will continue to provide food
and temporary shelter to 200 Nicaraguans displaced by Hurricane Mitch.
The church will also provide pastoral care and counseling and secure
employment for 50 individuals by December 1999.  Community houses in
Sarapiqui and Tejarcillo will also be remodeled.
     The ELCA will also respond to a request for financial assistance
from Iglesia Luterana Augustina de Guatemala (Augustinian Lutheran
Church in Guatemala).
     "Millions for Mitch" -- a campaign that involves millions of
Lutherans contributing millions of dollars for recovery efforts in
Central America following Hurricane Mitch -- has surpassed the $2.5
million-mark since the campaign began in November 1998.
     Gifts designated for "Millions for Mitch" or "Hurricane Mitch" are
used for church-related relief and recovery efforts under way primarily
in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

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:
  
                      Lutheran World Relief
                        Church Street Station
                              P.O. Box 6186
                      New York, NY 10277-1738
                             1-800-LWR-LWR-2

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html