Honduras Political Crisis

 

		Check or money orders sent to: ELCA Int'l Disaster Response Attn: Honduran Crisis PO Box 71764 Chicago, IL 60694-1764 write "Honduran Crisis" on your check's memo line.   credit card by phone: 800.638.3522 or online. Credit card contributions may also be made via mail.

The Situation:

UPDATE: Recent talks have failed to make headway on resolving the country’s political crisis. One of the main issues is the return of deposed president, Manuel Zelaya. Concerns for the Honduran economy continue to worry the leadership with as much as a 4% shrinkage this year, risking worsening poverty in Central America’s second-poorest country. The curfew imposed in June was lifted but military have been deployed against demonstrators who gather in the capital city of Tegucigalpa.


In the early hours of Sunday, June 28, the Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was arrested by the army and transferred to Costa Rica. Zelaya’s removal came as a result of organizing a referendum that could have led to an extension of his non-renewable four-year term in office which was judged as illegal by the Supreme Court.

In the political crisis that resulted, citizens have seen their rights diminishing through restriction of movement, curfews, threats and arbitrary arrests. Part of the affected population initially relocated in demonstration and others because they no longer felt safe in their homes and are subject to frequent threats.

On September 21, Manuel Zelaya secretly returned to Honduras and sought refuge at the Brazilian Embassy. This act increases pressure on the current political ruler, Roberto Micheletti, and heightens the risk for violence. Since his return, a national curfew has been declared, affecting mobility of citizens responsible for providing care for their families.

ELCA Response:

The ELCA committed $20,000 for immediate response efforts carried out through the ACT Honduras Forum, and specifically The Lutheran World Federation. Over the past month, ACT Honduras Forum members have been active in bringing water and food to the affected population, transporting persons in need of medical assistance, bringing information to the communities, and supporting local organizations.

The most urgent needs are for food, drinking water, medicines and health care, temporary shelter, and non food items such as clothes and blankets. Additionally, transportation is needed for those injured as well as those who have been threatened. ACT members and implementing partners emphasize that they are acting “not as followers or supporters of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales or the political institution to which he belongs, but solely in respect for constitutional order and the rule of law in the country.”

What you can do:

Pray:

Please pray for the safety and security of the people of Honduras as they persevere through the political tension and regain normalcy. Include these prayers in your personal time of devotion and in your Congregation Prayers.

Study and Share:

In addition to what you find in the media, look at the following.   
    ACT International
          August 6 Release
          September 22 Release 
          September 24 Release
    
Return here periodically for updates.

Give:

Information on giving is provided in the box on the right “How You Can Help.” Your gift will be used in full to bring life sustaining support to this crisis. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Funding is vitally needed at this time.


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