wfn.org | Lutherans help Africans after volcano eruption

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services

LCMSNews -- No. 10
February 14, 2002

Lutherans help Africans after volcano eruption

U.S. Lutherans have committed $25,000 toward relief efforts in Congo and 
Rwanda through Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Baltimore.

LCMS World Relief has provided an initial grant of $10,000 to LWR, which 
works on behalf of The Lutheran Church_Missouri Synod and the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church in America.  LWR is providing aid through Action by 
Churches Together (ACT) International, an interchurch emergency alliance.

Through ACT and its on-site partners, Lutherans are providing food and 
other necessities to people affected by the volcanic eruption near Goma, 
Democratic Republic of Congo, on Jan. 17.  Mount Nyiragongo's eruption 
destroyed nearly half of the city of Goma, sending tens of thousands of 
people fleeing across the border into Rwanda.

In Goma, ACT partners are providing water, food, plastic sheeting, blankets 
and cooking utensils to some 60,000 people.  ACT also is providing water 
tanks and units for water purification, pipelines, pumping and sanitation.

According to ACT, establishing feeding centers and kitchens is crucial, 
since many people no longer have a way to prepare or cook food.  There also 
is a shortage of firewood in the region.

Most of the people who fled Congo are back in the country, but many are 
poised to evacuate again.  Post-eruption earthquakes continue to destroy 
homes and other structures, and researchers say the earthquakes could 
continue as long as magma is settling in the mountain.

Contributions to assist refugees in the Congo and Rwanda -- earmarked 
"Congo Volcano" -- may be sent to LCMS World Relief, P.O. Box 66861, St. 
Louis, MO 63166-9810.  Or, call the credit-card gift line at (888) 930 4438.

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