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

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 12, 2001

LUTHERANS CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS IN PERU
01-189-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) continue to support survivors in Peru after an earthquake
struck the South American country June 23.
     The church's International Disaster Response has provided $35,000
to support recovery operations in Peru.  An initial $20,000 was provided
for emergency assistance immediately after the earthquake, and an
additional $15,000 was contributed July 5.
     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 that meet human need through
organized 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.
  ACT issued an appeal for funds on July 2.  "The $15,000 [sent by
the ELCA] is being channeled through Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and its
projects in Peru," said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for
international communication, ELCA Division for Global Mission.  LWR is
the overseas relief and development agency of the ELCA and The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod.
  "For the sake of urgency," ACT officials said the present appeal
includes the proposal [for funds] from LWR only.
  ACT members in Peru -- DIACONIA, Centro de Estudios y Prevencion
de Desastres (PREDES) and LWR -- are working to provide temporary
shelter, water containers, blankets, kitchen sets, tools for the removal
of the debris, and animal care.
  "The initial $20,000 was sent [by the ELCA] to [support]
DIACONIA's assessment of the crisis and for it to initiate
relief"immediately after the earthquake struck, said Ishida.
  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