wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] PDA launches humanitarian aid appeal for Middle East

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This story available online:

www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09021<http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09021

PDA launches humanitarian aid appeal for Middle East

Prayers, donations sought to help relieve suffering

>by Jerry L. Van Marter
>Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE ― With Israeli and Hamas forces plunging deeper
into violent conflict and the death toll in Gaza steadily
mounting, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
[www.pcusa.org/pda] has launched an appeal to help provide
humanitarian relief supplies to the stricken area.

PDA is supporting relief efforts as a member of the
Geneva-based Action by Churches Together (ACT)
International alliance [www.pcusa.org/pda/response/middleeast/act-activitie s010909.htm].

ACT efforts include those of the Middle East Council of Churches
(MECC)'s Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR),
International Orthodox Christian Charities and other long-time PC(USA) part ners.
These are initial efforts and will be expanded later as the situation furth er unfolds.

The PDA-supported efforts have included provision of food -
including high-energy biscuits for children - medicine and
blankets, as well as the deployment of trauma counselors.

An email outlining the appeal was sent to all PC(USA)
pastors, middle governing body offices and members of the
General Assembly Council on Jan. 9.

"The situation in Gaza remains difficult and dangerous,"
PDA said in announcing the appeal. "The conflict has
already caused the loss of hundreds of lives, a rapidly
mounting toll of injured civilians and the systematic
destruction of basic means of subsistence."

A special link has been placed on the PC(USA) home page
[www.pcusa.org], which contains constantly updated
information on the crisis and PDA's response. That site
already contains a bulletin insert that can be downloaded
for use by congregations.

Information about the appeal is being sent by fax today
(Jan. 12) and a special appeal post card will be mailed
Tuesday (Jan. 13).

According to the Associated Press, more than 900
Palestinians have been killed in the conflict that began
Dec. 27 with Israeli air strikes on Hamas buildings,
suspected rocket launch sites and supply tunnels in Gaza in
response to repeated rocket attacks on southern Israel from
Gaza.

Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have died.

A report from the Jerusalem UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs [www.pcusa.org/pda/resources/protection_of_civilian s_weekly_english010109.pdf](OCHA)
provides details of the effect the crisis has had on civilians in the regio n.

ACT  reports that there is a need for supplementary feeding
for 80,000 preschool children, but only one in four
children has received such supplements during the war. The
need for emergency psychosocial care within the war-torn
area is overwhelming, ACT reports. "The best therapy for
children is to resume normal life," says ACT's
representative in Israel and Palestine, Liv Steinmoeggen.

Emergency supplies including medicine and blankets are also
needed at the Anglican Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, said
Steinmoeggen. The hospital has been damaged during the
recent military attacks, with patients now hospitalized in
a facility where windows have been blown out and as a
result are exposed to cold weather.

Providing aid to the most vulnerable is among the highest
priorities for ACT,  This includes infants and small
children, together with their mothers.

The United Nations is responsible for organizing the
transport of aid shipments into Gaza, including aid
supplied by ACT. ACT will operate together with U.N.
agencies and distribute through Palestinian community
representatives.

"You can help the church in this response through your
prayers," PDA's announcement said. "Please pray for all
those whose lives have been and continue to be affected;
pray for those working to deliver humanitarian assistance."

A special account ― DR000081 - Middle East ― has been
established to receive financial contributions
[https://www.pcusa.org/give/online/projectSelectAction.do?numberString=DR 000081]
to the humanitarian relief effort. The appeal's goal is $1 million.

Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian
congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, by calling
Presbytel at 800-872-3283 or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Individual Remittance
Processing P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA  15264-3700

Please include the special designated giving account
DR000081 - Middle East.

Congregations should send donations through their normal
mission giving channels.

Mindy Marchal, communications associate for Compassion,
Peace and Justice, contributed to this story.

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