wfn.org | Lutherans Participate in Relief Efforts in Peru after Earthquake

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 25, 2001

LUTHERANS PARTICIPATE IN RELIEF EFFORTS IN PERU AFTER EARTHQUAKE
01-175-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to the earthquake that struck Peru
on June 23, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) contributed $20,000 to the church's International Disaster Response
fund to support emergency assistance in the South American country.
     More than 70 people have died and more than 850 were injured,
said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for international
communication, ELCA Division for Global Mission.
     "According to the Peruvian Civil Defense, 20,000 people have
been rendered homeless and thousands of others are terrified to
return home amid recurring aftershocks.  The death toll is expected
to rise, since many people remain missing," Ishida said.
     "Disruption of water, electrical supplies and
telecommunications are hampering relief effort," he said.
     Church-related organizations in Peru -- DIACONIA and PREDES --
have dispatched their emergency teams to the affected areas to assess
the situation and the needs of people, said Ishida.  "They will begin
aid and reconstruction activities soon."
     These organizations are members of 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.
The funds sent by the ELCA will help support relief efforts
coordinated through ACT.
     "Though ACT has not issued an appeal yet, an initial grant was
sent [by the ELCA] to assist with preliminary disaster assessment and
relief," Ishida said.
     "With an anticipated appeal, some of the relief items most
needed are likely to be blankets, tents, water, food and medicine,"
he said.  "Other members of ACT in Peru are on the alert and ready to
mobilize their emergency teams."
     Members of the ELCA contribute funds to the church's
International Disaster Response fund.  Coordinated through the ELCA
Division for Global Mission, International Disaster Response helps
relief agencies provide funds for food, medicine, drinking water,
emergency shelters 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