March 16, 2012

CHICAGO – When one of the strongest earthquakes on record struck off the coast of Japan a year ago, the 4.2 million members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) took immediate action, contributing $2.9 million to ELCA Disaster Response.

These funds have provided food and clean water, care and counseling to help sustain earthquake survivors and support for programs that address disaster preparedness, sustainability and the redevelopment of communities and livelihoods.

"Our church has walked in solidarity with our companion church in Japan from the very first moments of this disaster, when tsunami and nuclear crisis tragically compounded the impact of a massive earthquake," said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, ELCA executive for global mission.

To share a snapshot of how the generosity of ELCA members has helped make a difference, a "One Year Update" is now available online. The resource highlights how gifts to ELCA Disaster Response have been used to provide hope and healing.

Of the $2.9 million contributed, the ELCA has allocated more than $1.5 million to partners and companions in Japan. The ELCA continues to work closely with the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Lutheran World Federation and Church World Service to provide direct assistance to survivors. The next phase of work will be to help rebuild communities both physically and spiritually.

The ELCA and the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church are members of The Lutheran World Federation – a global communion representing more than 70 million Christians. The ELCA is the only Lutheran church member to The Lutheran World Federation from the United States.

The ELCA has worked with the people of Japan for more than 100 years through missionaries and through its partnerships with The Lutheran World Federation and Church World Service.

These relationships "enabled (for) a quick and well-coordinated response that provided for the basic needs of survivors," said Malpica Padilla.

"Now that the cameras are gone, our church continues to walk with the Japanese church to help individuals and communities rebuild their shattered lives, (thanks to) the generous support of ELCA members. I give thanks to God for the relationships that enable this faithful response to human need."

ELCA News Service