wfn.org | Christian Conf of Asia Meets on Post-Tsunami Situation

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

CCA workshop on post-tsunami situation

January 26, 2005, HONG KONG - The Christian Conference of Asia will
organise soon a workshop on "Ecumenical ministry in post-tsunami
situation."

The 27-30 January workshop in Colombo, Sri Lanka is expected to produce
a common policy, strategy and some dynamics for ecumenical ministry in
the post-tsunami situation in Asia.

One of the objectives of the workshop is to develop a "people-centred
reconstruction process and
disaster-to-relief-reconstruction-to-development agenda" for the
churches and related organisations in the region.

The workshop will begin on 27 January morning at the Sri Lankan capital
with an opening worship led by the CCA General Secretary Dr Ahn Jae
Woong.

Field visit to the southern town of Galle, which was badly affected by
the giant waves, will be one of the highlights of the program.

Some 30 participants from the tsunami-affected countries in Asia,
including representatives from Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist faiths, will
get an opportunity to meet and talk with victims, religious leaders and
civil society groups during the field visit.

The workshop is expected to produce mid-term and long-term plans for
handling natural disasters, which many Asian countries face from time to
time.

Plans for restoring the livelihood capacities of the victims are likely
to get attention during the workshop.

According to the CCA Executive Secretary Dr Lee Hong Jung, who is
coordinating the workshop, the churches in Asia have tried to respond to
such situations to the best of their capacities, though on an ad hoc
basis.

The churches have much more to do by way of mid and long term measures,
he feels.

In a background paper, he mentions about studies which have shown that
victims affected by natural disasters remain vulnerable for many years
while relief and aid agencies move on to the next crisis.

"As Asian churches, we need to change this pattern and in its place,
institute plans for preparedness and mechanisms for reconstruction that
leads to development."

Hong Jung has noted that many Asian churches lived in the neighbourhoods
of communities who bore the brunt of the 26 December tsunami tragedy,
like fisher people, poor farmers and people directly and indirectly
depend upon tourism industry in the coastal areas of many Asian
countries. The churches must have long-term plans for the people and
communities to give them hope, courage, skills and resources.

In this process, friends, donors, partners like ACT and churches from
other parts of the world should also be given space to make their
contributions.

"We cannot ask them to take responsibility on our behalf while we do
nothing," he added.

Among the other objectives of the workshop are:

* to express solidarity with the people of countries affected by the
tsunami disaster

to share assessment of needs of those most affected by the disaster and
its aftermath, and

* to contribute towards the building of communities of life and peace
for all in Asia through ecumenical ministry for healing and
reconciliation.

* According to the organisers, one of the challenges of the workshop
will be evolve strategies to take the relief stage forward to
reconstruction and development.

-END-

Asian Ecumenical News
Christian Conference of Asia
96 2nd District, Pak Tin Village
Mei Tin Road, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR
Phone 852 2691 1068 Fax 852 2692 4378
Email aen@cca.org.hk
Editor Philip Mathew

Reproduction permitted provided AEN is acknowledged

2/2005