Published:
Lutherans Work to Meet the Needs of People in Myanmar
Lutherans Work to Meet the Needs of People in Myanmar
CHICAGO, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- International Disaster Response of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $100,000 as an initial
response to help meet the basic needs of survivors inMyanmar after Cyclone
Nargis battered the Southeast Asian country May 3.
"TheMyanmar government reported that nearly 22,500 people died and close
to 41,000 are missing," said Dr. Belletech Deressa, director for international
development and disaster response, ELCA Global Mission. These figures are
only an estimate, since access to the areas most affected is limited, she
said.
"United Nations officials have reported that close to 1 million people are
homeless" and "that, while the greatest needs are for food and shelter, the
price of food and other essential items are skyrocketing. The full extent of
the destruction is still being ascertained as information on damage and
need-assessments is slow coming," Deressa said.
"There are very few nongovernmental organizations or humanitarian agencies
in the country due to government restrictions," said Deressa.
The ELCA sent the funds to Church World Service (CWS), an international
humanitarian agency with a license to work inMyanmar, said Deressa. The ELCA
participates in and supports the work of CWS.
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is offering experienced personnel to
assist with disaster response operations, said Deressa, adding that Action by
Churches Together (ACT) is working on an appeal for funds.
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.
ACT is 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 LWF, both inGeneva. The
ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF.
INTERNATIONAL DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
of major disasters outsidethe United States,Puerto Rico or theU.S. Virgin
Islands, please include:
ELCA International Disaster Response, PO Box 71764,Chicago, IL
60694-1764, 1-800-638-3522 and
http://archive.ELCA.org/disaster/idrgive on the Internet.
SOURCE Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
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