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Title: 1996 Year of Disasters ELCA NEWS SERVICE 1996: YEAR OF DISASTERS A recent newspaper article noted that 1996, only six weeks old, is already a record year for disasters, with twenty-one states affected. More than $2 billion dollars in damage has been reported. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is currently carrying out seven relief programs through Inter-Lutheran Disaster Response. ILDR is a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. "Lutheran relief efforts continue long after the media has gone, helping people put their lives together for one to two years after the disaster," according to the Rev. Leon Phillips Jr., ILDR director. Prior to this month, ILDR had never carried out more than three major relief operations at any one time, Phillips said. Here is a rundown on Lutheran response at present. *In Oklahoma City counseling and support groups continue to help victims' families, survivors and others impacted by the bombing of the federal building. *On St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, re-building of homes destroyed by Hurricane Marilyn continues -- 85 percent of homes were seriously damaged. Counseling and support continue. *On St. Croix, 40 percent of homes were badly damaged in Hurricane Marilyn. Cleanup and temporary repairs continue, and rebuilding has begun. *Relief efforts continue following January flooding in Lycoming County and Bedford Country, Pa., and in Cumberland, Md. *In Oregon and Washington February flooding has displaced thousands and left much damage in its wake. Phillips says volunteers are active in many of the disaster areas and emergency supplies and blankets have been provided. Counseling is offered to individuals and support is given to congregations affected by the disaster. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service, (312) 380-2058; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia Christiansen, Assit. Dir., (312) 380-2956