ELCA Disaster Response addresses food crisis in West, Central Africa

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: ELCA Disaster Response addresses food crisis in West, Central Africa
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>April 3, 2012  

ELCA Disaster Response addresses food crisis in West, Central Africa
12-19-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Sahel region of West and Central Africa is in
a growing food crisis. Inadequate rainfall, poor harvests and rising food
costs have left nearly 15.5 million people, particularly children, in
need of emergency food assistance. Members of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) are working to provide food and other life-
sustaining necessities like medical supplies, hygiene kits and more to
people affected.

According to ELCA Disaster Response, the crisis has the potential to
become a widespread famine across the region. Conflict in northern Mali
has also sparked a migration of people to neighboring countries. The
governments of the affected countries have declared a state of emergency,
calling on the international community for aid.

Through its membership in The Lutheran World Federation, the ELCA is
participating in relief efforts with Lutheran churches and partners,
particularly in Mali, Mauritania and Senegal.

ELCA Disaster Response continues to assess the situation and remains
committed to response with partner churches through The Lutheran World
Federation. The ELCA is the federation's only member from the United
States.

ELCA members have a long-standing relationship with Lutherans
throughout West and Central Africa. More information about the drought in
the Sahel region is available at http://www.ELCA.org/disaster, and gifts
to ELCA Disaster Response at
https://community.ELCA.org/WestAfricaSahelDrought designated for
the "West Africa Sahel Drought" will be used entirely (100 percent) for
response.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with 4.2 million members in 10,000 congregations across the 50
states and in the Caribbean region. Members of the ELCA believe that they
are freed in Christ to serve and love their neighbor. With their hands,
they do God's work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus'
name throughout the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the
German church reformer, Martin Luther.

>For information contact:
>Melissa Ramirez Cooper
>773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org
>http://www.ELCA.org/news
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>Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com