Lutherans Support Relief Efforts In Bangladesh, Nepal

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has provided funds for food, medicine, drinking water, emergency shelter and other materials for survivors of floods in Bangladesh and monsoon rains in Nepal.
     More heavy rain and the onrush of water from upstream sources in India and Nepal has "aggravated further" the flooding situation in northern and central Bangladesh, said Belletech Deressa, director for international development and disaster response, ELCA Division for Global Mission.  Weather officials do not expect any significant improvements in the near future, as the pressure of upstream water and local rainfall intensifies, she said.
     Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, "is under water," Deressa said.  Hundreds of schools are closed indefinitely in the district of northern Sylhet and in other northern districts, she said.  Many families have taken shelter on boats, highways, schools and government buildings.  Many people are facing food and drinking water shortages as relief agencies are having difficulty reaching people in remote areas.
     Deressa said waterborne diseases are spreading fast in 25 flood-affected districts.  Sylhet, Dinajppur, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Sirajganj are the worst-hit, she said.
     To support disaster relief efforts in Bangladesh, members of the ELCA sent $40,000 from the church's International Disaster Response fund to Action by Churches Together (ACT).  The Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service, a member of ACT, will implement the funds.  
     Coordinated by the ELCA Division for Global Mission, International Disaster Response often channels its funds through international church organizations and relief agencies.  ACT is a worldwide network of churches and related agencies that meet human need through organized emergency response.  It is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), both in Geneva, Switzerland.  The ELCA is a member of WCC and LWF.
     "Torrential and persistent monsoon rains have created floods in eastern Nepal, resulting in significant damage and loss of lives," said Deressa.  Twenty-two eastern and central districts of Nepal have been affected by flooding and landslides, she said.
     Since July 14, weather conditions in the affected areas have improved somewhat, with less rainfall, Deressa reported.  "However, there is still rain in the central part of the country, and some areas are still experiencing heavy flooding."
     The Nepal Red Cross Society reports that an estimated 62,350 families have been affected and 123 people died in Nepal, Deressa said.  Families displaced from their homes have taken shelter at schools and elsewhere, she said.
     LWF is proposing to assist the most vulnerable people with food and basic medical necessities for 30 days, Deressa said.  "Provision has also been made for post-crisis support, recovery and preparedness [to help] the most vulnerable families and communities through the distribution of seeds and seedlings [for planting crops], repair and upgrading of water systems and a sanitation campaign," she said.
     To support recovery efforts in Nepal, members of the ELCA sent $40,000 through the church's International Disaster Response fund to ACT.  Funds will be implemented by LWF in Nepal.
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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, or at http://www.elca.org/scriptlib/dcm/giving/idisaster.asp on the Internet.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news