Title: ELCA Members Provide $1 Million for Kosovo Relief
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
June 30, 1999
ELCA MEMBERS PROVIDE $1 MILLION FOR KOSOVO RELIEF
99-166-MR
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) have contributed about $1.5 million to provide emergency
assistance for Kosovar refugees.
"We are just delighted that our people have responded so
generously," said Lita Brusick Johnson, director for the ELCA World
Hunger and Disaster Appeals.
"Gifts from our members both helped the refugees from Kosovo to
survive the immediate crisis and will help with the rebuilding of the
Balkans. Even before the NATO bombing started and the exodus began, we
worked with trusted partners 'on the ground' and we will continue this
pattern in the coming months," she said.
"We are really excited about this outpouring of support from our
people and hope that it continues, because this crisis is not going to
go away and we will need to continue our support for years into the
future," Johnson said.
The ELCA issued an appeal for funds to help confront the
increasing humanitarian crisis with the conflict in and around Kosovo.
The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, released a
statement at the time the appeal was issued to the 5.2 million members
of the church.
"Like most Americans, I have been distressed by the reports of the
evolving crisis in the Balkans. The tragic suffering of the Kosovo
Albanians, caused by armed attacks and other forms of violence --
including 'ethnic cleansing' -- conducted by Yugoslav security forces,
compels the international community to respond," said Anderson.
Through Action by Churches Together (ACT), a total of $880,000 was
distributed by Lutheran World Federation's (LWF) World Service and
Norwegian Church Aid; $225,000 was given to Lutheran World Relief for
shipment of supplies and medical assistance. ACT, a worldwide network
of churches and related agencies meeting human need through coordinated
emergency response, is based with the LWF and the World Council of
Churches (WCC) in Switzerland. The ELCA is a member of the LWF and WCC.
The funds coordinated through ACT represent income generated from
the ELCA appeal. Funds were being used for shelter, transportation,
food, hygiene needs, psychological services for the refugees and their
families, water and sanitation, and refugee camp management. Funds will
now be directed to rehabilitation and reconstruction as Kosovar refugees
return home.
The ELCA gave $100,000 to the Slovak Evangelical Church of the
Augsburg Confession in Yugoslavia, a "companion" Lutheran church located
in Novi Sad. Anderson delivered the $100,000 check this month to the
Rev. Jan Valent, bishop of the Lutheran church in Yugoslavia. The funds
will help the church reconstruct Novi Sad, one of the cities bombed
heavily during the NATO air strikes.
Church-related agencies are now making plans to return to Kosovo
to assist with rehabilitation and reconstruction. The Lutheran World
Federation will help with rehabilitation and reconstruction projects;
Norwegian Church Aid will distribute water and sanitation products,
advocate for dialogue and human rights, and help with reconstruction
efforts. The Macedonian Center for International Cooperation will
distribute food and provide agricultural and institutional capacity-building
with local non-government organizations. These projects will be coordinated
through ACT.
"Churches will have a key role to play in the enormous task of
reconstruction, refugee repatriation and reconciliation which must begin
immediately," says a June 11 statement issued by the Lutheran World
Federation, World Council of Churches, Conference of European Churches
and World Alliance of Reformed Churches.
The ecumenical bodies called upon the churches, especially those
of Europe and North America, "to respond actively and generously to this
challenge in Kosovo and other Yugoslav Republics, in Albania and the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and among refugees who have
sought asylum in their own countries."
"We thank God that the parties have finally reached an agreement
to bring an end to the conflict, and for the efforts of the Secretary
General of the United Nations and all others who have worked so
tirelessly to achieve the result," the statement said.
The church bodies urged "the international community to give
priority to rebuilding infrastructure, homes and economies throughout
Yugoslavia, and take a comprehensive regional approach to reconstruction
and reconciliation in order to create conditions for economic and
political stability and peace throughout southeast Europe," said the
statement.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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