ELCA News Blog
July 18, 2006
ELCA Disaster Response to distribute funds for Middle East, Indonesia
by Katherine R. Hinck*, ELCA News Service
International Disaster Response (IDR) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Global Mission is distributing funds to provide aid for the Middle East and the Indonesian island of Java.
According to a July 17 IDR announcement, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has reached a critical level, contributing to death and destruction in both Israel and Lebanon. ELCA Global Mission has approved $20,000 as an immediate response from IDR to be sent to the Middle East Council of Churches. An additional $30,000 was approved in anticipation of a financial appeal by Action by Churches Together (ACT).
An earthquake off the coast of Java and a tsunami that followed killed more than 300 people July 17, according to the Indonesian Department of Social Affairs. ELCA Global Mission has approved $20,000 from IDR funds as an initial response. The funds will be sent to ACT to provide medical assistance, food and shelter for people affected by the natural disasters.
In response to a May earthquake in Java that left more than 5,000 people dead and 20,000 injured, ELCA Global Mission has approved $50,000 for emergency assistance from IDR to be sent through Church World Service.
*Katherine R. Hinck is a senior journalism and religion major at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service. Information was provided by ELCA International Disaster Response. 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