ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 22, 2009  

ELCA Participates in Hurricane, Tropical Storm Relief Work in Haiti
09-022-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Disaster response work continues in Haiti,
after tropical storms and hurricanes in the fall of 2008 killed
more than 790 people and left 310 others missing.  On Jan. 8
members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
provided $75,000 to support recovery efforts that will help
hundreds of thousands of families there.
     The storms destroyed more than 22,700 houses and damaged
84,625 others, said Megan Bradfield, associate director for
international development and disaster response, ELCA Global
Mission.
     "As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is
exceedingly vulnerable to the devastations of weather.  With a
devastation of crops and livestock, food security threatens the
stability of families and communities," said Bradfield.
     ELCA International Disaster Response sent the funds to
Action by Churches Together (ACT) for implementation by the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Haiti.  ACT issued an appeal
for funds to further recovery activities there.  ELCA
International Disaster Response provided $25,000 soon after the
storms struck Haiti.
     The LWF, a member of ACT, is focusing its recovery
activities in Vaudreuil-Moleart, Foret-des-Pins, Cabaret and
Bokozel, Haiti.  Little relief work has been done in these storm-
affected areas, said Bradfield.  Response teams are distributing
clean water, food and hygiene kits to families in these areas.
The distribution of agricultural supplies, such as seed and
cash-for-work programs, will help to provide economic stability
to farmers, she said.
     The LWF also plans to help reconstruct roads, repair schools
and water systems damaged by the storms, Bradfield said.  An
estimated 30,000 people living in Haiti's rural areas will
benefit from the LWF's disaster response plan, she said.
     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 LWF.  The ELCA is a member of
the WCC and the LWF.
     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.

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