ELCA NEWS SERVICE
September 28, 2006
Lutherans Support Recovery Efforts in Guatemala, India
06-145-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided funds
Sept. 25 to support recovery operations in Guatemala and India,
where severe weather destroyed crops and property in both
countries.
In Guatemala tropical storms and strong rain have destroyed
crops, producing a food shortage, said Dr. Belletech Deressa,
director for international development and disaster response,
ELCA Global Mission.
Guatemala is still recovering from Hurricane Stan, which
struck the Central American country in 2005. "Hurricane Stan
caused serious damage to crops and destroyed homes, schools and
entire communities" there, she said.
Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG) (Augustinian
Lutheran Church of Guatemala), a "companion church" of the ELCA,
has been helping communities affected by the hurricane and the
most recent storms, said Deressa. Currently the church is
seeking funds to help 218 families in eight communities purchase
seeds for corn, beans, rice and other food items, so they can
plant and later be able to feed themselves, as well as generate
income from the sale of their crops, she said.
The Rev. Horacio Castillo, president of ILAG, visited
affected communities to help identify the latest needs of people,
said Deressa. ILAG requested financial assistance from ELCA
Global Mission, she said. In response to this special appeal for
funds, ELCA International Disaster Response provided $40,000 to
support ILAG's effort to help communities recover and purchase
seeds for planning, she said.
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.
India
Severe weather has produced floods in the Indian states of
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and
Rajasthan, said Deressa. ELCA International Disaster Response
provided $50,000 to support families in these states, where
floods have caused widespread damage to property, crops and other
infrastructures.
The funds were sent to Action by Churches Together (ACT) for
implementation by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), which is
overseeing relief operations in India. The funds will be used to
purchase food, clean water, shelter and clothing for families,
she said.
The ELCA is a member of ACT -- a worldwide network of
churches and related agencies that meets human need through
organized emergency response. It is based with the World Council
of Churches (WCC) and the LWF, both in Geneva, Switzerland. The
ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF.
"Whenever international disasters occur, ELCA companions
seek financial assistance to help communities rebuild their
livelihoods. We are always grateful to ELCA congregations for
their gifts to International Disaster Response," said Deressa.
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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
