wfn.org | Lutheran Relief Agency and Others Call for Aid in Afghanistan

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 8, 2001

LUTHERAN RELIEF AGENCY AND OTHERS CALL FOR AID IN AFGHANISTAN
01-278-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran World Relief and four other faith-based
humanitarian agencies in the United States are calling for aid for
Afghanistan, separate from military and partisan activities.  In a Nov.
1 statement the agencies urged compliance with three humanitarian
principles in order to ensure effective aid.
     Lutheran World Relief works overseas in relief and development on
behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  The four other agencies are American
Friends Service Committee, Mennonite Central Committee, Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance and Church World Service (CWS).  The ELCA
participates in the work of CWS.
     "As faith-based humanitarian organizations in the United States
responding to the crisis in Afghanistan, we urgently call upon
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)  and governmental agencies to
uphold three principles ... in all humanitarian actions," said the
statement.
     The principles are:
+ "Humanitarian aid must be provided on the basis of need, not as an
instrument of political or military strategy."  The purpose of aid is to
assist people in need -- in this case, the vulnerable sectors of the
Afghan population, according to the statement.
+ "Multilateral cooperation is critical for effective aid in
Afghanistan."  For the United States and Europe to provide assistance to
populations within the Muslim world, multilateral action is as critical
in the humanitarian field as it is in the political arena.  The United
States must be careful not to act alone in ways that sharpen the
geographical, cultural and religious polarizations complicating this
crisis, the statement said.
+ "Military intervention must not exacerbate humanitarian crises."  On
Sept. 11, up to 5 million people, one-fifth of the Afghan population,
were suffering through a major food crisis.  That number has grown since
that date, yet the pursuit of suspected terrorists has taken precedence
over their fate.  Military responses that undermine effective
humanitarian aid endanger innocent people and deepen this humanitarian
crisis, and, by doing so, undermine the prospects for future cooperation
against terrorist acts, according to the statement.
     "The principles draw on lengthy experience in humanitarian
service, reflect precepts of U.S. and international law, and address the
special challenge that this crisis poses to Christians, Muslims and
other people of faith," said the statement.
     "Adherence to these principles will save lives and relieve
suffering among a people at risk from drought, chaos, wars and the
approaching winter," it said.
     In addition to the principles, the five agencies stated that they
affirm the Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Response Programs.
     The statement was addressed to government and nongovernment
organizations involved in aid work in Afghanistan.
     The agencies seek to "establish conditions [in Afghanistan] that
permit the immediate, safe delivery of humanitarian aid in the
quantities needed," according to a Nov. 1 news release issued by
Lutheran World Relief.  Cease fire or safe zones and independent
monitoring may be required, the release stated.
- - -
     The statement is available at
http://www.lwr.org/action/news/01/110101.html#three on the Internet.

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