wfn.org | Lutherans Increase Support for Afghanistan Refugees

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 31, 2001

LUTHERANS INCREASE SUPPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN REFUGEES
01-273-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided an additional
$150,000 Oct. 25 to support millions of people in Afghanistan who have
fled their homes as a result of years of civil conflicts, natural
disasters, poverty and United States air strikes there.  The ELCA
provided an initial $150,000 earlier this month.
     "Afghans, the largest, single refugee group in the world, are
still on the move," according to an Oct. 24 news release issued by
Action by Churches Together (ACT), which has been responding to some of
the humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
     ACT is a worldwide network of churches and related agencies
meeting human need through coordinated emergency response.  It is based
with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and 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 the relief efforts
ACT coordinates.  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 shelter and other materials and supplies.  Funds are also sent
to rebuild communities and to repair structures destroyed by major
disasters.
     For the last 24 years, Afghanistan has been hit hard by disasters
of various kinds, such as an earthquake in 1998 and drought conditions
in 2000, that have severely affected the lives and livelihood of the
entire population directly or indirectly.
     The already fragile food supply, as well as security for citizens
and relief workers in Afghanistan, has worsened since the start of
aggressive United States air-strikes there, stated the release.
     The threat of retaliation for the destruction of the World Trade
Center, New York, and attack on the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., on Sept.
11 has caused many Afghans to flee their country, and has made
international humanitarian aid difficult.
     "In addition, borders with Afghanistan have officially closed,
hindering the activities of humanitarian agencies from reaching"
internally-displaced people there, according to ACT. "The international
humanitarian community in Pakistan is facing multiple obstacles in its
attempt to provide emergency relief to new Afghan refugees," it said.
     ACT members are working to provide emergency shelter, food and
non-food commodities, emergency medical assistance, water, sanitation
and assistance for Afghans to prepare for the winter season.

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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

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