Title: Lutherans Provide Funds to Support People in the Middle East
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
October 31, 2001
LUTHERANS PROVIDE FUNDS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
01-272-MR
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $50,000 Oct. 25
to support people affected by the crisis in the Middle East.
"The vicious circle of killings and violence continues in Israel
and the Palestinian territories," according to an Oct. 23 news release
issued by Action by Churches Together (ACT). However, on Oct. 29
Israeli forces withdrew from Palestinian territories of Beit Jala and
Bethlehem.
ACT is a worldwide network of churches and related agencies
meeting human need through coordinated emergency response. It is based
with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) in Switzerland. The ELCA is a member of both the WCC and LWF.
The funds sent by the ELCA will help support the relief efforts
coordinated by ACT. Members of the ELCA contribute funds to the
church's International Disaster Response fund. Coordinated through the
ELCA Division for Global Mission, International Disaster Response helps
relief agencies provide funds for food, medicine, drinking water,
emergency shelter and other materials and supplies. Funds are also sent
to rebuild communities and to repair structures destroyed by major
disasters.
"As retaliation for the recent assassination of the Israeli
Minister of Tourism Rehavam Zevi, Israeli forces launched a series of
incursions into Ramallah, Beit Jala, Bethlehem and other towns across
the Palestinian territories" beginning Oct. 18, the release stated.
"This has halted the Mideast peace efforts and the recently
resumed peace negotiations between the two sides of the long-standing
conflict, which continues to weaken the local Palestinian population,"
it said.
Recent killings have raised "the already high death toll since the
start of the year-old intifada to 903 Palestinians and Israelis," stated
the ACT release.
ACT members report that the local population in the affected towns
of the West Bank have been entirely deprived of food and other basics in
the last several days.
Life has come to a stand-still due to the siege, according to ACT.
******************************
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
*******************************
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
|