wfn.org | Lutherans Continue Support for Earthquake Survivors in India

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

February 13, 2001

LUTHERANS CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS IN INDIA
01-029-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) continue to support survivors in western India, after an
earthquake and its aftershocks killed thousands there Jan. 26.
     The church's International Disaster Response initially provided
$20,000 for emergency assistance.  It contributed an additional $50,000
on Feb. 6.
     The funds sent by the ELCA will help support relief efforts
coordinated through 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 Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Geneva,
Switzerland.  The ELCA is a member of both the WCC and LWF.
     Members of ACT are working with the Churches Auxiliary for Social
Action (CASA) in India to retrieve more information about earthquake
damage and the needs of survivors, said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida,
director for international communication, ELCA Division for Global
Mission.  CASA, Church World Service, and Protestant and Catholic
churches continue to provide shelter, food, water and other relief
items.
     The ELCA is channeling $30,000 through ACT for LWF/World Service
in India, Ishida said.  The church provided another $20,000 for Lutheran
World Relief, he said.
     LWR, the overseas relief and development agency of the ELCA and
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is helping to purchase and
distribute food, blankets and other relief items.  LWR is a member of
ACT.
    Coordinated through the ELCA Division for Global Mission,
International Disaster Response helps relief agencies provide funds for
food, medicine, drinking water, emergency shelter and other materials
and supplies.  Funds are also 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:

ELCA International Disaster Response
PO Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
1-800-638-3522

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