July 24, 2008

CHICAGO – International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $75,000 to help meet the needs of people in Burundi, where several waves of ethnic violence and political upheavals have affected the country in central Africa. It also provided $195,757 to support college students in Nias, Indonesia.

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.

Burundi

"Since its independence from Belgian colonial rule in 1962, Burundi has faced several waves of inter-ethnic violence and political upheavals, which have profoundly impacted the social and economic fabric of the country," said Dr. Belletech Deressa, director, international development and disaster response, ELCA Global Mission. As a result, more than 600,000 people of Burundi fled to neighboring countries.

"Since the 2005 general elections, Burundi has had a new political environment and the first democratically led government since 1993. This helped to allow former refugees to return home," said Deressa.

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) World Service is providing assistance to people returning to Burundi. The LWF established an office there to provide food, medical assistance, shelter and school for children. To support the efforts of the LWF, Action by Churches Together (ACT) issued an appeal for funds. The $75,000 from the ELCA was sent to ACT "but will be implemented by Lutheran World Federation World Service in Burundi," said Deressa.

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 in Geneva. The ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF.

Indonesia

Nearly four years ago a tsunami struck Indonesia, killed thousands of people and left many homeless. Many young people are still experiencing financial difficulties "and are unable to pay for their college educations," said Deressa.

Nommensen University, a Lutheran university of the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (Protestant Christian Batak Church) in Nias, Indonesia, requested funds from ELCA Global Mission to help provide tuition assistance for 109 students. Funds from the ELCA will help cover tuition costs for the students from 2008 to 2012.

ELCA News Service