CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Through the World Hunger and Disaster Appeal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), $450,000 in cash has been contributed to "Millions for Mitch" -- a campaign that involves millions = of Lutherans contributing millions of dollars for recovery efforts in Central America following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch. =20
"The outpouring of love and support for survivors of Hurricane Mitch has been overwhelming," said Lita Brusick Johnson, director for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. "Our ELCA members and congregations heard the media reports about the tremendous human suffering caused by Hurricane Mitch, = and they acted swiftly and generously."
The ELCA sent an initial $30,000 to help as soon as communication was restored to the region. During the first weeks of the crisis another $800,000 in quilts, clothing and material aid were dispatched through Lutheran World Relief, the overseas relief and development agency of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Hurricane Mitch killed more than 10,000 people Oct. 29-31. The Category 5 hurricane was the strongest storm in the Atlantic Ocean since Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Damages were catastrophic, with ships lost in the Caribbean Sea and deaths caused by flooding and mud slides in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. Millions are homeless, and hundreds of thousands are isolated.
"We are confident that Lutherans will continue to be in it for the long haul," Johnson said. "The devastation wrought by Mitch is almost beyond comprehension; recovery will take years."
"Right now we are walking with our sister churches and partner agencies in Central America, as they meet immediate needs in this emergency. We have pledged to walk with them in the longer-term rehabilitation phase of recovery," Johnson added. "We urge our ELCA members to keep the survivors of Hurricane Mitch in their prayers this Christmas season, and to consider 'extra-mile' gifts to help survivors achieve long-term recovery from what has been called a disaster of 'biblical proportions.'"
Gifts marked "Millions for Mitch" or "Hurricane Mitch" are used for church-related relief and recovery efforts already under way -- primarily in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
More than $22,000 of the money Lutherans have donated to Hurricane Mitch relief was delivered through credit card contributions. Donations made by credit card for ELCA International Disaster Response became a possibility in 1998.
=20 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:
Lutheran World Relief=20
Church Street Station=20
P.O. Box 6186=20
New York, NY 10277-1738=20
1-800-LWR-LWR-2
=20 For information contact: Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
- - -
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
