CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran World Relief and four other faith-based humanitarian agencies in the United States are calling for aid for Afghanistan, separate from military and partisan activities. In a Nov. 1 statement the agencies urged compliance with three humanitarian principles in order to ensure effective aid.
Lutheran World Relief works overseas in relief and development on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The four other agencies are American Friends Service Committee, Mennonite Central Committee, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Church World Service (CWS). The ELCA participates in the work of CWS.
"As faith-based humanitarian organizations in the United States responding to the crisis in Afghanistan, we urgently call upon nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and governmental agencies to uphold three principles ... in all humanitarian actions," said the statement.
The principles are: + "Humanitarian aid must be provided on the basis of need, not as an instrument of political or military strategy." The purpose of aid is to assist people in need -- in this case, the vulnerable sectors of the Afghan population, according to the statement. + "Multilateral cooperation is critical for effective aid in Afghanistan." For the United States and Europe to provide assistance to populations within the Muslim world, multilateral action is as critical in the humanitarian field as it is in the political arena. The United States must be careful not to act alone in ways that sharpen the geographical, cultural and religious polarizations complicating this crisis, the statement said. + "Military intervention must not exacerbate humanitarian crises." On Sept. 11, up to 5 million people, one-fifth of the Afghan population, were suffering through a major food crisis. That number has grown since that date, yet the pursuit of suspected terrorists has taken precedence over their fate. Military responses that undermine effective humanitarian aid endanger innocent people and deepen this humanitarian crisis, and, by doing so, undermine the prospects for future cooperation against terrorist acts, according to the statement.
"The principles draw on lengthy experience in humanitarian service, reflect precepts of U.S. and international law, and address the special challenge that this crisis poses to Christians, Muslims and other people of faith," said the statement.
"Adherence to these principles will save lives and relieve suffering among a people at risk from drought, chaos, wars and the approaching winter," it said.
In addition to the principles, the five agencies stated that they affirm the Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Response Programs.
The statement was addressed to government and nongovernment organizations involved in aid work in Afghanistan.
The agencies seek to "establish conditions [in Afghanistan] that permit the immediate, safe delivery of humanitarian aid in the quantities needed," according to a Nov. 1 news release issued by Lutheran World Relief. Cease fire or safe zones and independent monitoring may be required, the release stated. - - -
The statement is available at http://www.lwr.org/action/news/01/110101.html#three on the Internet.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
