CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided a total of
$250,000 Nov. 21 in response to an emergency appeal for funds
issued by Action by Churches Together (ACT).
The ELCA is a member of ACT -- a global alliance of
Protestant and Orthodox 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), in Geneva. The ELCA is
a member of the WCC and 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.
The ELCA sent $75,000 to support individuals and communities
as they rebuild homes and businesses in the wake of recent
fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The
funds sent to ACT will be implemented by the Middle East Council
of Church (MECC) Inter-Church Network for Development and Relief,
which is addressing the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
The church sent $75,000 to provide emergency food, medical
and other humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza
Strip and the West Bank. The funds sent through ACT will be
implemented by MECC's Department of Service to Palestine
Refugees.
The ELCA provided $50,000 to assist families affected by
recent floods in India. The funds sent to ACT will be
implemented by the Lutheran World Federation in India.
The church sent another $50,000 for relief and
rehabilitation work related to drought in Eritrea. These funds
sent to ACT will be implemented also by the Lutheran World
Federation.
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.
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
