ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 14, 2009  

Lutherans Provide Funds to Support Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
09-015-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) provided $50,000 Jan. 8 to secure food aid,
trauma counseling and medical care in Gaza.
     Violence in Gaza has compromised the services of medical
clinics and limited people's access to food, water and other
basic necessities, according to Megan Bradfield, associate
director for international development and disaster response,
ELCA Global Mission.
     Since air raids in Gaza began in late December, more than
900 Palestinians have died, including nearly 400 women and
children.  Ten Israeli soldiers and three Israeli civilians have
died, according to news reports.
     ELCA International Disaster Response sent the funds to
Action by Churches Together (ACT) for implementation by the
Middle East Council of Churches' Department of Service to
Palestinian Refugees (DSPR).
     "Based on the situation in Gaza, ACT has given priority to
an immediate 10-day response to support four primary emergency
activities," said Bradfield.  The activities are to provide
emergency medicine and medical supplies for DSPR clinics and the
Al Ahil Hospital; distribute food aid and blankets to children,
nursing mothers and others; and secure trauma counseling for
people affected by the conflict.
     DSPR-operated clinics located in areas with military
activity "have been operating on and off," said Bradfield. "As
soon as (there's) normalcy and military activities do not
threaten the lives of patients and medical staff, the clinics
will reopen to provide emergency and primary health care," she
said.
     On Jan. 12 an Israeli missile destroyed an ACT-operated
hospital in Shijaiya, Gaza, Bradfield said.  Established in 1968,
the hospital provided treatment free-of-charge to community
residents living below the poverty line.
     Fresh water sources for homes and hospitals are also scarce
and "rolling blackouts have plagued the region for more than a
week.  As a result, water pumps and sewage networks are not
functioning," said Bradfield.
     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 in Geneva with the World
Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation
(LWF).  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
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