wfn.org | Lutherans Provide Assistance in Burundi, Indonesia

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: Lutherans Provide Assistance in Burundi, Indonesia
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>July 24, 2008  

Lutherans Provide Assistance in Burundi, Indonesia
08-125-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
provided $75,000 to help meet the needs of people in
Burundi, where several waves of ethnic violence and
political upheavals have affected the country in central
Africa.  It also provided $195,757 to support college
students in Nias, Indonesia.

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.

>Burundi

"Since its independence from Belgian colonial rule
in 1962, Burundi has faced several waves of inter-ethnic
violence and political upheavals, which have profoundly
impacted the social and economic fabric of the country,"
said Dr. Belletech Deressa, director, international
development and disaster response, ELCA Global Mission.
As a result, more than 600,000 people of Burundi fled to
neighboring countries.

"Since the 2005 general elections, Burundi has had
a new political environment and the first democratically
led government since 1993.  This helped to allow former
refugees to return home," said Deressa.

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) World Service is
providing assistance to people returning to Burundi. The
LWF established an office there to provide food, medical
assistance, shelter and school for children.  To support
the efforts of the LWF, Action by Churches Together (ACT)
issued an appeal for funds.  The $75,000 from the ELCA
was sent to ACT "but will be implemented by Lutheran World
Federation World Service in Burundi," said Deressa.

ACT is 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 LWF in Geneva.
The ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF.

>Indonesia

Nearly four years ago a tsunami struck Indonesia,
killed thousands of people and left many homeless.  Many
young people are still experiencing financial difficulties
"and are unable to pay for their college educations," said
Deressa.

Nommensen University, a Lutheran university of the
Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (Protestant Christian Batak
Church) in Nias, Indonesia, requested funds from ELCA Global
Mission to help provide tuition assistance for 109 students.
Funds from the ELCA will help cover tuition costs for the
students from 2008 to 2012.
- - -
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.

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