Title: ACT LOOKS AT PALESTINIAN NEEDS ELCA NEWS SERVICE September 12, 1997 ACT LOOKS AT PALESTINIAN NEEDS Repeated closures of the West Bank and Gaza Strip areas in the aftermath of violence in Israel has caused an almost complete breakdown of the local economy, according to Action by Churches Together (ACT). Thousands of Palestinians, who are dependent upon their work in outside areas or upon exports of produce, are no longer able to provide food and other critical needs for their families, ACT reports. ACT is a worldwide network of churches, including the Lutheran World Federation, meeting human need through coordinated emergency response. Although schools are functioning, many families are unable to provide the required fees and related costs. The Gaza Strip has an estimated population of 935,000 people, of whom 650,000 are refugees. The West Bank has a population of nearly 2 million people. The rate of unemployment during closure exceeds 75 percent. ACT is working with the Middle East Council of Churches to formulate plans for possible emergency assistance. The Lutheran World Federation is a worldwide communion of 124 member churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html