wfn.org | NCCCUSA/CWS RESPONDS TO TURKEY EARTHQUAKE WITH $.5MIL

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Email: news@ncccusa.org  Web: www.ncccusa.org
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227

92NCC8/27/99 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDITORS: When listing organizations receiving funds for
humanitarian response to the Turkey earthquake, please
include:

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, Attn. Turkey Earthquake, #976803, P.O.
Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.  Phone pledges or credit card
donations: 1-800-297-1516, ext. 222.  On-line contributions
to: http://www.churchworldservice.org

CWS works in more than 80 countries, including the U.S., in
disaster relief, human development and refugee assistance.
It is a ministry of the National Council of Churches, whose
35 Protestant and Orthodox member communions have a combined
membership of 52 million.

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE RESPONDS TO TURKEY EARTHQUAKE WITH
$500,000
CWS Director Attending Washington, D.C. Meetings about
Relief Efforts

 August 27, 1999, NEW YORK CITY ---- Church World
Service is seeking $500,000 from its member denominations to
support long-term rehabilitation work in Turkey following
last week's devastating earthquake.

 With this appeal, CWS will support ecumenical efforts
focusing on recovery and rehabilitation, particularly among
those who are most vulnerable after such catastrophic events
- women, children, the elderly and those with disabilities.
Long-term response will include providing material goods and
building homes.

 Meanwhile, the Rev. Dr. Rodney Page, Executive Director
of CWS, is attending meetings in Washington, D.C. today with
other heads of faith-based relief agencies and with
Secretary of State Madeline Albright to report about the
efforts of U.S. churches in Turkey relief work.

In his remarks at the meeting with Secretary of State
Albright, Dr. Page said: "Church World Service and
ecumenical partners in the U.S. and around the globe are
responding with millions of dollars of assistance to meet
basic needs. These gifts come in $2 and $3 from school
children, major gifts from individuals, community groups,
churches and corporations.  I am pleased to announce today a
remarkable gift of 2,000 Polartec blankets (valued at
$30,000) from Malden Mills in Lawrence, MA.  This is a
special gift from a family-run mill and its employees that
suffered a devastating fire in 1995, and from that
experience are motivated to share so generously with people
in need."

 Dr. Page also outlined the CWS response to date, which
includes:
--Committing an initial $250,000 for survivors of the Turkey
earthquake, including $100,000 from the CWS Blanket Fund for
bedding, tents and tarps. Church World Service made this
response through the Christian Churches in Turkey Steering
Committee for Disaster Relief.  As part of this response,
CWS has provided for the distribution of personal care items
to families in the town of Adapazari.
--Of the $100,000, CWS has sent $50,000 to the International
Federation of the Red Cross for tents and blankets.
--CWS is also supporting an anticipated appeal by the Action
by Churches Together (ACT) International network for unmet
needs in the region, and the assessments by the Middle East
Conference of Churches (MECC), a CWS partner, are expected
to be reflected in the ACT appeal.  An ACT appeals officer
has assisted ACT member churches and agencies this week to
assess needs and possibilities for response at this stage.
--In addition to the $100,000 in CWS Blanket Funds, the
following member denominations have pledged funds to the CWS
response. These include the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
$100,000; the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
$25,000; the Church of the Brethren, $25,000; United Church
of Christ, $25,000; the American Baptist Churches, $20,000,
and the Reformed Church in America, $10,000.
--In addition, several personnel from the UCC and the PCUSA
are engaged in providing health care and logistical help in
the distribution of relief goods.

 The official death toll following last week's
earthquake in northwest Turkey rose above 13,000 this week,
but reports estimate the final figure could reach 40,000 as
more bodies are recovered.  Some 200,000 remain homeless.

 With winter approaching, housing is going to be among
the most serious problems facing Turkey.  Other concerns
include a fear of possible health epidemics.

 Eyewitnesses such as Mick McCain, a United Church of
Christ missioner, report that "there is considerable order
and dignity even among the rubble of lives and property.
But, there is terrible sadness and an enormous task ahead."

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