ELCA NEWS SERVICE
June 29, 2007
ELCA Supports Recovery Efforts in Burundi, China
07-117-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an effort to help meet the basic needs
of people and reconstruct homes in China's southern Yunnan
Province, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) provided $50,000 after a June 4 earthquake left three
people dead and more than 560 others injured there, as of June 5.
Lutherans also have provided another $50,000 to help reconstruct
communities and support the needs of people in the Republic of
Burundi after years of armed conflict there.
Earthquake assistance in China's Yunnan Province
The earthquake was the most serious in 30 years, causing
widespread damage in five counties of China's Yunnan Province,
according to Action by Churches Together (ACT). Of these
counties, Ning'er County was the worst affected, with all nine
townships sustaining significant damage.
Latest statistics from the Ning'er disaster relief
headquarters report that 242,000 houses in rural areas have been
damaged, 11,400 houses collapsed and 140,000 houses severely
damaged. About 536,000 people from Ning'er and nearby counties
have been affected, and 180,000 people evacuated. The quake
damaged pipes, cutting off water supplies, and communication
lines were down, according to ACT.
Funds were sent from ELCA International Disaster Response to
ACT. They will be implemented in China by Amity Foundation, a
partner of ACT. 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.
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 Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Geneva.
The ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF.
The Amity Foundation is an independent church-related
organization developed by Protestant Christians in China to help
meet needs related to health education, social welfare, rural
development, relief, and rehabilitation within Chinese society.
The ELCA relates to China primarily through the Amity Foundation.
Amity Foundation is currently planning to help meet the
basic needs of 2,000 of the most vulnerable families rendered
homeless, who have not received any help from the government or
other agencies, according to ACT. The government and various
organizations have released funds and provided relief materials.
Amity has reported that the needs (of people) are still far
greater than the assistance provided so far, reported ACT.
Ning'er County is one of the poorest counties in China, where
most farmers live in houses constructed of wood and mud which are
easily destroyed in an earthquake.
Reconstruction, recovery for survivors of armed conflict in
Burundi
After 12 years of armed conflict in Burundi -- bordered by
Rwanda and Tanzania in Africa -- 2007 marks the start of
reconstruction and development efforts, according to ACT. While
2005 saw progress in the peace process in Burundi, with the
holding of a constitutional referendum, followed by general
elections culminating in the inauguration of a new president,
2006 was a much more mixed year in political terms.
ACT reported that living conditions remain difficult after
more than a decade of war and large-scale population
displacements. It said people have limited access to health
services, and the insecurity generated in previous years by the
fighting has now given way to crime, as part of the population
now has no occupation. The disarmament process has not produced
the hoped-for results.
Burundi lies vulnerable to the effects of instability and
regional pressures -- fewer than 200,000 registered Burundian
refugees remain in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC). At the same time DRC has just come out of a delicate
electoral process, which could also trigger an influx of
Congolese to swell the ranks of those already in Burundi,
according to ACT. Another stream of Rwandan asylum-seekers, who
are again fleeing their country in the wake of a crackdown by the
Rwandan authorities, is also possible.
On the basis of several needs assessments conducted
individually by ACT members, ACT will maintain its response in
2007 -- ranging from emergency response to strengthened community-
based recovery interventions in support of the most affected
populations, including the reintegration of people returning from
forced displacement.
Funds from ELCA International Disaster Response were sent to
ACT in June 2007 for implementation by the LWF.
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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 [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
