Earthquakes and Cyclone in Malawi

 

		Check or money orders sent to: ELCA Int'l Disaster Response Attn: Malawi Earthquakes PO Box 71764 Chicago, IL 60694-1764 write "Malawi Earthquakes" 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:

On November 23rd, a series of earthquakes affected Karonga, the northern region of Malawi. The tremors continued from the 6-12 December and culminated on 20 December with a seismic activity of 6.0 on the Richter scale. Three people died and 179 were seriously injured and admitted in government hospitals. In additional 16,512 people have lost their homes, seeking shelter in overfilled tents lacking food, safe sanitation, fresh water and medicine. Many public institutions have been closed as a consequence of the earthquake and as a measure of precaution. During the same period, the southern region of Malawi was hit by a cyclone and rainstorm damaging numerous houses and devastating harvest.

Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi, has confirmed the direct affect of the earthquake to the church in Karonga. As the church works to rebuild, the concern is turned outward to the community where people fear the safety of their rocked homes, seeking the shelter of the open outdoors until more permanent rehabilitation comes.

ELCA Response:

Evangelical Lutheran Development Services of Malawi, the relief and development arm of the ELCM and a long-term companion of the ELCA, is responding to the needs of affected individual and families in Karonga and Chikwawa. Although the government of Malawi and the Red Cross has provided immediate relief to these areas, a public appeal has been released for continued accompaniment to these communities, restoring livelihoods and normalcy. Women and children have been prioritized in this response aimed at providing safe shelter, food, medications and sanitation supplies.

Funds were received by ELDS on December 22nd for immediate relief as further assessments are conducted. The ELCA continues to be in communication with our local companions, ELDS and ELCM, and other related constituency parties to coordinate and respond effectively.

What you can do:

Pray:

Please hold the people of Malawi in your prayers. Suggested prayer petitions are provided by the ELCA Worship.  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
     Reuters
     ReliefWeb

Return here periodically for updates.

Give:

Gifts to ELCA International Disaster Response help us to provide immediate and effective support to communities which are in need. Please consider giving to support the needs of this response and others like it.  Information on giving is provided in the box on the right “How You Can Help.” 100% of your gift will be used in full to bring life sustaining support to this crisis. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.


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