CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) provided $200,000 May 31 to support the humanitarian
response in the Darfur region of western Sudan. A three-year
conflict in Darfur has resulted in the deaths of some 200,000 to
400,000 people, and more than 2.5 million people have been
displaced from their homes.
There also have been "many reports of rapes, looting,
burning of homes and other untold atrocities committed against
primarily ethnic Africans living in Darfur," said the Rev. Mark
S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in a May 19 statement to
members of the church.
"Similar to the genocide in Rwanda, the world has waited too
long to respond in outrage and has allowed a poorly funded
humanitarian response to take the place of political will and
action," said Hanson.
"There is cautious, hopeful news" about Darfur, said Hanson.
"The Sudanese government and the largest rebel faction in Darfur
-- the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement -- signed a peace
agreement, and that has started a tenuous peace process that
could end a tragic situation that President Bush and others have
described as 'genocide,'" he said.
In 2004 and 2005 ELCA International Disaster Response sent a
total of $600,000 to Action by Churches Together (ACT) which, in
partnership with Caritas Internationalis (CI), has been
responding to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Working
together in Darfur since 2004, ACT and CI focus their work among
people displaced from their homes on the areas of agriculture,
education, environmental health, nutrition, protection, psycho-
social counseling and rehabilitation, and shelter. ACT and CI
also partner with other agencies supporting the humanitarian
response in Darfur.
The ELCA is a member of ACT -- a global alliance of churches
and related agencies working to save lives and support
communities in emergency situations worldwide. 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 the WCC and the LWF.
Coordinated by ELCA Global Mission, International Disaster
Response channels its funds through international church
organizations and relief agencies. Funds provide for food,
medicine, drinking water, emergency shelter and other materials
for survivors of disasters.
"ELCA Global Mission is fully committed to the life-giving
mission of the triune God," said the Rev. Rafael Malpica-Padilla,
executive director, ELCA Global Mission. The people of Darfur
have experienced genocide, dehumanizing persecution and
displacement, he said. "This is one of the largest 'silent
crises' in recent years. We must lift our voices and redouble
our efforts in support of the peace, reconciliation, and
restoration work of governments, churches and non governmental
organizations," said Malpica-Padilla.
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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 and
http://www.ELCA.org/disaster/idrgive on the Internet.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's statement on Darfur
is at http://www.ELCA.org/bishop/m_darfur.html on the ELCA Web
site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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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
