ELCA NEWS SERVICE
May 8, 2008
Lutherans Work to Meet the Needs of People in Myanmar
08-062-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $100,000
as an initial response to help meet the basic needs of survivors
in Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis battered the Southeast Asian
country May 3.
"The Myanmar government reported that nearly 22,500 people
died and close to 41,000 are missing," said Dr. Belletech
Deressa, director for international development and disaster
response, ELCA Global Mission. These figures are only an
estimate, since access to the areas most affected is limited,
she said.
"United Nations officials have reported that close to
1 million people are homeless" and "that, while the greatest
needs are for food and shelter, the price of food and other
essential items are skyrocketing. The full extent of the
destruction is still being ascertained as information on
damage and need-assessments is slow coming," Deressa said.
"There are very few nongovernmental organizations or
humanitarian agencies in the country due to government
restrictions," said Deressa.
The ELCA sent the funds to Church World Service (CWS), an
international humanitarian agency with a license to work in
Myanmar, said Deressa. The ELCA participates in and supports the
work of CWS.
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is offering experienced
personnel to assist with disaster response operations, said
Deressa, adding that Action by Churches Together (ACT) is working
on an appeal for funds.
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 LWF, both in Geneva. The ELCA is a member
of the WCC and LWF.
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
