Title: ELCA Provides Funds to Support the Humanitarian Response in Darfur ELCA NEWS SERVICE
June 1, 2006
ELCA Provides Funds to Support the Humanitarian Response in Darfur 06-077-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $200,000 May 31 to support the humanitarian response in the Darfur region of western Sudan. A three-year conflict in Darfur has resulted in the deaths of some 200,000 to 400,000 people, and more than 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes.
There also have been "many reports of rapes, looting, burning of homes and other untold atrocities committed against primarily ethnic Africans living in Darfur," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in a May 19 statement to members of the church.
"Similar to the genocide in Rwanda, the world has waited too long to respond in outrage and has allowed a poorly funded humanitarian response to take the place of political will and action," said Hanson.
"There is cautious, hopeful news" about Darfur, said Hanson. "The Sudanese government and the largest rebel faction in Darfur -- the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement -- signed a peace agreement, and that has started a tenuous peace process that could end a tragic situation that President Bush and others have described as 'genocide,'" he said.
In 2004 and 2005 ELCA International Disaster Response sent a total of $600,000 to Action by Churches Together (ACT) which, in partnership with Caritas Internationalis (CI), has been responding to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Working together in Darfur since 2004, ACT and CI focus their work among people displaced from their homes on the areas of agriculture, education, environmental health, nutrition, protection, psycho- social counseling and rehabilitation, and shelter. ACT and CI also partner with other agencies supporting the humanitarian response in Darfur.
The ELCA is a member of ACT -- a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergency situations worldwide. It is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), both in Geneva, Switzerland. The ELCA is a member of the WCC and the LWF.
Coordinated by ELCA Global Mission, International Disaster Response channels its funds through international church organizations and relief agencies. Funds provide for food, medicine, drinking water, emergency shelter and other materials for survivors of disasters.
"ELCA Global Mission is fully committed to the life-giving mission of the triune God," said the Rev. Rafael Malpica-Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission. The people of Darfur have experienced genocide, dehumanizing persecution and displacement, he said. "This is one of the largest 'silent crises' in recent years. We must lift our voices and redouble our efforts in support of the peace, reconciliation, and restoration work of governments, churches and non governmental organizations," said Malpica-Padilla. - - - 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 and http://www.ELCA.org/disaster/idrgive on the Internet.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's statement on Darfur is at http://www.ELCA.org/bishop/m_darfur.html on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog