ELCA/LSI Disaster Funds

Special offerings for July 2004 will be divided between the ELCA International Disaster Response and LSI Disaster Fund for Iowa flood victims. Both of these funds have urgent needs to assist these victims. Please give generously!

ELCA International Disaster Response

Since 1983, two million people have died as the result of Sudan’s tragic civil war. Ethnic, political, economic, and religious differences have pitted the government, which represents primarily Muslim and Arab interests, against the Black people in the south, which contains a majority of the country’s Christians. Now, even as a peace accord is being formalized, there are acute crises in Sudan.

In the western region of Darfur, Sudan, a million people are fleeing attacks by government-backed militia in what is described as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in recent times, reminiscent of the Rwanda genocide. Systematic executions, rape, torture, and destruction are reported.

Some 110,000 refugees, mostly women and children, managed to flee to neighboring Chad. People and communities in Chad are helping the refugees survive by sharing their meager supplies of food and water.

In the south, some 60,000 people are displaced due to renewed fighting. They are traumatized, hungry, and weak. There is widespread looting and destruction.

ELCA International Disaster Response contributed an initial $75,000 for relief efforts––food, water, shelter, medicine, agricultural supplies, and emotional support––in Sudan and Chad. You can learn more about the crises at http://www.elca.org/disaster.

ELCA International Disaster Response is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, coordinated through the Division for Global Mission.

Following a major disaster in some area of the world, the ELCA, through its international companions, seeks to minister to the urgent needs of those who have suffered. Funds are used for restoration of life and structures damaged or destroyed by major disasters such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, famine, and political and/or military conflict. As in past years, during the current crises and in the critical years of peacemaking ahead, your generous gifts to ELCA International Disaster Response help make a life-saving difference. Thank you.

LSI (Lutheran Services of Iowa) Disaster Fund

In the wake of recent weather-related disasters in Iowa, LSI has initiated their disaster response efforts. Pastor Michael Stadie (Davenport LSI office) is the LSI disaster response coordinator. The position of disaster response coordinator is a new position for LSI – as they work though these disasters, they will be developing official disaster response procedures. Meanwhile, they are working with the ELCA’s disaster response team and are prepared to assist the ELCA.