CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Action by Churches Together (ACT) members in Nairobi are planning a coordinated response to the Aug. 7 bombing disaster there. ACT has issued an appeal for $150,200 to address immediate and long-term needs of primary and secondary victims of the bomb blast and alleviate lasting trauma-related psychological and social problems.
ACT is a worldwide network of churches, including the Lutheran World Federation, meeting human need through coordinated emergency response.
According to ACT "the disaster is still at a crisis stage and receiving worldwide media attention. However, the disaster has not substantially jeopardized or altered the overall security situation in Nairobi."
The Lutheran World Federation and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) are at work on immediate needs appraisal, a responsive longer term trauma counseling program, a family social support package and replacement of some urgently needed equipment of the NCCK Emergency Response Unit.
"Church House," the NCCK headquarters is located only 225 feet from the site of the former U.S. Embassy. An estimated 5,000 people were injured in the terrorist bombing, with 224 confirmed dead. Twenty staff members from the NCCK are among the injured.
Church House suffered serious damage to windows, doors, partitions, electrical equipment, telephones, computers and other equipment.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director 1-773-380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
