CHICAGO (ELCA) For the past three years, Chiapas, Mexico, has been affected by river flooding. Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are providing $8,120 to help residents there recover from the disaster.
"Due to the flooding, corn and bean crops have been destroyed. Crop destruction has increased poverty in the area. Children in Chiapas suffer from malnutrition and other illnesses," said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for international communication, ELCA Division for Global Mission.
The ELCA is sending funds to AMEXTRA, the Mexican Association for Rural and Urban Development. AMEXTRA requested special assistance to help improve the living conditions of the people with whom it works, Ishida said. "Contributions to the ELCA International Disaster Response, Division for Global Mission, will help with food relief efforts in Chiapas," he said.
"AMEXTRA will support an agronomist, agriculturalist and doctor for three months to help the Chiapas community recover," said Ishida.
Coordinated through the ELCA Division for Global Mission, International Disaster Response helps relief agencies provide funds for food, medicine, drinking water, emergency shelter and other materials and supplies. Funds are also used to rebuild communities and to repair structures destroyed by major disasters.
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
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
