wfn.org | ELCA Members Continue Contributions for Kosovo Relief

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 12, 1999

ELCA MEMBERS CONTINUE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR KOSOVO RELIEF
99-206-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) contributed an additional $450,000 Aug. 5 for the 
post-crisis reconstruction and rehabilitation in and around Kosovo.
     Funds will be used by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for
social development projects in Mitrovica, Pec/Decani and
Prizren/Orahovac, Kosovo.  Professional psychologists will work with
traumatized groups, especially women and children.  Funds will also help
to provide shelter, safety, food, education and income generation.
     ELCA International Disaster Response is responding to a new appeal
issued by Action by Churches Together (ACT), a worldwide network of
churches and related agencies meeting human need through coordinated
emergency response.  The ACT coordinating office is based with the LWF
 -- a global communion of 128 member churches in 70 countries representing
58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans -- and World Council of
Churches (WCC) in Geneva, Switzerland.  The ELCA is a member of the LWF
and WCC.
     Funds from the ELCA are in response to the new ACT appeal, said
the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for international communication,
ELCA Division for Global Mission.  Total ELCA International Disaster
Response contributions for relief and rehabilitation in and around
Kosovo has reached $1,655,000 since the crisis began.  ELCA
International Disaster Response is coordinated through the ELCA Division
for Global Mission.
     ACT issued it's first appeal shortly after the crisis began.
Funds were used to help confront the increasing humanitarian crisis with
the conflict in and around Kosovo.  The first appeal generated about $19
million worldwide, said Ishida.   The goal for the second appeal by ACT
is $37,290,425.
     Two college-bound and three high school students at First Lutheran
Church and St. John Lutheran Church, both in Dongola, Ill., raised about
$600 for children in Kosovo.  Inspired by a Bible lesson during Sunday
worship, the youth organized a dinner with entertainment to raise funds
for the ELCA International Disaster Response.

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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
     1-800-597-5972

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