wfn.org | ELCA Responds to Floods in Mozambique and South Africa

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 1, 2000

ELCA RESPONDS TO FLOODS IN MOZAMBIQUE AND SOUTH AFRICA
00-046-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) sent emergency assistance to people in Mozambique Feb. 24, after
Cyclone Eline stranded hundreds of thousands of people there.  The
cyclone deteriorated living conditions in Mozambique, after two months
of heavy rain produced extensive flooding there and in South Africa.
     Members of the ELCA sent $100,000 in response to an appeal issued
by Action by Churches Together (ACT), a worldwide network of churches
and related agencies meeting human need through coordinated emergency
response.  ACT is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.  The ELCA is a member of
both the WCC and LWF.
  Members of ACT are helping families resettle in Mozambique who
have lost their homes, crops, livestock and other means of income, said
the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for international communication,
ELCA Division for Global Mission.
  "An estimated 220,000 families in Mozambique have been affected by
floods and Cyclone Eline," said Ishida.  "In some northern parts of
South Africa, more than 17,000 people have been affected by flooding.
At least 52 people are reported dead in South Africa as a result of the
floods."
  In addition to the destruction of homes and property, floods also
brought health problems such as diarrhea, cholera and various skin
diseases, said Ishida.
  The ELCA also sent $50,000 for relief efforts in South Africa.
These funds will be implemented by ACT member South Africa and the South
African Council of Churches (SACC).  The LWF and SACC started relief
work in South Africa in early February, said Ishida.  "This included
crisis assistance, as well as providing for resettlement for families."
  Members of the ELCA contribute funds to the church's International
Disaster Response.  Coordinated through the ELCA Division for Global
Mission, the International Disaster Response helps relief agencies
provide funds for food, medicine, drinking water, emergency shelter, and
other materials and supplies.  Funds are used to rebuild communities and
to repair structures destroyed by major disasters.

=====================================

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
PO Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
1-800-LWR-LWR2

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