January 5, 2005

CHICAGO - Lutheran churches in South Asia, in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), continue to raise and provide funds and distribute emergency supplies to survivors of a tidal wave that struck southern Asia Dec. 26, when an underwater earthquake created the tsunami that claimed lives in several coastal countries of the Indian Ocean.

According to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), as of Jan. 3 more than 150,000 people in 12 countries were confirmed dead. The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the LWF has 138 member churches in 77 countries. The ELCA is a member of the LWF.

"We are beginning to hear specifics from our partner churches in South Asia regarding significant loss of life and property. Churches, synod offices and homes have been destroyed, but those losses pale as we mourn the loss of so many lives. The LWF is committed for the long term and has been a presence in this region for decades. The LWF member churches in Asia will inform us as to how we can be the most helpful," said Kathy J. Magnus, regional office for North America, LWF. The office is housed at the ELCA churchwide organization here.

"ELCA funds are sent through Action by Churches Together, the agency the LWF uses for its emergency relief. Currently that partnership includes the National Council of Churches in Sri Lanka, LWF Lutheran World Service India, United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, Lutheran Churches in Indonesia and others," she said.

"The Lutheran World Federation is deeply appreciative of the generosity of the people of the ELCA at this very difficult time for all those affected by the tsunami," Magnus said.

The ELCA International Disaster Response released $100,000 to Lutheran World Relief (LWR) for its "Wave of Giving" tsunami relief efforts Jan. 5. LWR works overseas in relief and development on behalf of the ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

"We are grateful for the work of all our partners in responding to this terrible disaster," said Kathryn Sime, director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal.

"Our relationships with these trusted World Hunger partners and companion churches allowed us to respond soon after the tsunamis struck. The immediate and generous response of our ELCA members and congregations now allows us to release an additional $100,000 to Lutheran World Relief for their emergency and long-term response in South and Southeast Asia. I give thanks to God for the outpouring of prayers, concern and gifts from our church and for the compassionate and effective disaster ministries of all our church partners," she said.

"The ELCA is committed to providing up to 50 percent of its International Disaster Response income designated for tsunami disaster relief to LWR," said Belletech Deressa, director for international development and disaster response, ELCA Division for Global Mission. The other 50 percent of the church's income designated for tsunami relief will be sent to "our Lutheran companion churches in South and Southeast Asia, and other ecumenical organizations, to support their relief efforts," Deressa said.

On Dec. 29 the ELCA International Disaster Response released $150,000 to support immediate relief efforts in South Asia. It sent $100,000 to Action by Churches Together (ACT); $30,000 to support the work of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India; and $20,000 for other regional recovery work, particularly in Indonesia.

Coordinated by the ELCA Division for Global Mission, International Disaster Response often channels its funds through international church organizations and relief agencies. ACT is a worldwide network of churches and related agencies that meets human need through organized emergency response. It is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the LWF, both in Geneva, Switzerland. The ELCA is a member of WCC and LWF.

Lutheran Relief Work in Indonesia

In Indonesia, more than 94,000 deaths have been reported, mainly in the northern province of Aceh, according to LWF.

The Rev. Bonar Napitupulu, bishop of the (Lutheran) Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP), Sumatra, Indonesia, said there has been "overwhelming" support from pastors and other church members to coordinate assistance in the worst-hit areas of Indonesia. The western coastline of Sumatra was the first to be hit by the tsunami, particularly Aceh, Cermin (Serdan Bendagei), Nias and Pantai. Napitupulu called on members of HKBP and the ecumenical community worldwide to "help our friends" in these areas through a special offering on Jan. 2.

According to Ria Sidabutar-Pardede, HKBP member, Jakarta, Indonesia, a church of the HKBP in Banda Aceh is "flooded with mud" to a depth of 1.5 meters with 50 corpses that had not yet been removed, given the lack of equipment. About 100 members of the congregation died, 300 have been rendered homeless and 70 had to be evacuated to the HKBP hospital in Balige, Indonesia. The pastor's home of the church in Banda Aceh and synod building were "wiped out," reported Sidabutar-Pardede.

The HKBP is "badly in need of medicine, food and clothes." A post-disaster phase will include trauma healing and the building of a new life for survivors of the tsunami, Sidabutar-Pardede said.

With 3 million members, the HKBP is the largest of 12 LWF member churches in Indonesia. The church has established three "coordination posts" in Aceh, Bedagei and Nias Island. Assistance is being coordinated with support from the government and military, non-governmental organizations and other groups. The HKBP and Simalungun Protestant Christian Church are major Lutheran churches in the areas south of Aceh, in and around the city of Medan.

United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India

In India, "the government continues to maintain the official report on the death toll of the disaster," according to the Rev. Chandran Paul Martin, executive secretary, United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI).

The government reports that 9,479 is the official death toll, with Tamilnadu alone accounting for 7,814 people killed, Paul Martin said. Tamilnadu is a state in southern India. "More than 10,000 people are still reported as missing or untraced. Both the central and state governments have launched massive relief organizations and almost in all instances are working with non-governmental organizations," he said.

"The non-governmental organizations and churches are now engaged in the second stage of the crisis" phase, said Paul Martin. Some of the "major problems" facing survivors are "diarrhea, cholera and dehydration. Problems such as gastroenteritis, respirator infections and depression are also expected. Several children are in need of pediatric attention and some adults are to be treated for major injuries. The government has appointed a relief commissioner at the Chennai secretariat, who is currently involved in coordinating the relief work of the government, as well as coordinating voluntary work," he said.

The UELCI has dispatched four teams for relief work, reported Paul Martin. These teams are reporting from Chirala, Cuddalore, Kanuakumari, Nagercoil, Tranquebar and other affected areas.

The UELCI has sent appeal applications for relief and rehabilitation to ACT. In its proposal to ACT, the UELCI requests intervention in three phases - crisis, post-crisis and rehabilitation, said Paul Martin. The church has also identified, "among other things, an intensive comprehensive medical and health engagement including psychological-social counseling. [The church] will work and implement its programs through its partners and other program units, such as Lutheran World Service in India," he said.

Lutheran Response in Thailand

According to a Jan. 4 report from the Bangkok Post, the death toll of the tsunami disaster in Thailand has reached 5,187 with another 8,457 people injured and 3,810 people still missing, said Sally Lim, LWF secretariat, Thailand.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand (ELCT) does not have any congregations in the south, said Lim. The ELCT is involved in providing monetary donations, as well as personnel helping survivors in southern Thailand and working in hospitals in Bangkok, she said.

"The five provinces - Phuket, Ranong, Phang Nga, Satun and Trang - about between 500 and 1,000 kilometers away from Bangkok, suffered great losses in terms of human lives and properties. The country has been united in the rescue work, and international organizations have also provided expertise and humanitarian assistance in many ways to help with the situation. Together with budgets from the government and donations from both local and foreign organizations, the government has been giving out medical, psychological and financial aid to help survivors of the disaster start a new life," Lim reported.

"The government has also started restoration work to clear the beaches and to build houses for the several thousands who had been rendered homeless. Students from schools that were washed out had also been transferred temporarily to other nearby schools while the new buildings are being built. About 100 young orphans have been brought under the patronage of the King of Thailand. Business and hotels will also receive government aid to restore the south as some of the world's most popular tourist beach resorts. It was also reported that only about 10 percent or more of the corals and sea life in the region were badly affected," Lim said.

ELCA News Service