1 August 2006

Church Funds Support Rebuilding in Sri Lanka and Pakistan

The generous support of contributors through the World Hunger and Oblation Funds have made it possible for World Accord to respond to opportunities in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. A $150,000 grant supported tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka, and two $10,000 grants supported earthquake reconstruction in Pakistan.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cousins who survived the tsunami although not all their parents did.  (photo by World Accord)

A $150,000 World Hunger grant to World Accord has been put to work helping families rebuild their livelihoods following the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. As part of the big picture, the project these dollars support is likely to total $1.8 million when combined with other involved agencies and a $1.5 million proposal to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). As of July 13 the proposal had been through several levels of approval with final endorsement expected soon.

The project will help local NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) train and finance communities to support families in rebuilding their livelihoods. World Accord appealed to other Canadian development agencies to join them in the cause. HOPE International of British Columbia matched the World Hunger grant with its $150,000 pledge.

The tsunami salt waters flooded this woman's village, destroying crops and fields. In a year or two, they will be able to plant again. Making "coir" coconut hull fiber rope for mats or crafts has become her family's source of income until they can grow food again. This project has allowed many to stay in their homes near family and friends and their land. Life is getting better. (photo by World Accord)

Sri Lankan families are benefiting from training in farming and manufacturing to advance food security in coastal communities whose mainstay had been based on fishing. Several families who lost residences will receive permanent home replacements. Using a participatory community approach, this project will assist approximately 3,000 households.

Pakistan

World Accord dialogued with several agencies about combining resources and submitting a joint proposal to the Canadian government for match funding to help Pakistan rebuild after the devastating earthquake of October 2005. An interfaith partnership resulted with the Christian-based organizations of World Accord, Hope International, and Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), and the Muslim-led and funded Human Concern International (HCI).

A $10,000 grant from World Hunger and $10,000 from the Oblation Fund will likely be part of a $3.25 million program when combined with funding from a pending proposal to the Canadian government. The project is helping rebuild infrastructure and livelihood for at least 5,000 people directly and thousands more indirectly.

Improved living conditions will be created in 20 villages. Special focus will be given to primary schools, health centers, drinking water supplies, and roads. Results will include increased income levels and improvement in areas of health, nutrition, and education for at least 500 families, most of them headed by women.

World Accord is a charitable Canadian nongovernmental development agency affiliated with Community of Christ. The agency emphasizes long-term community development work and also responds to the needs of its partners in cases of disaster recovery. World Accord upholds the support of the Community of Christ World Hunger and Oblation Funds for outstanding support to humanity. To the funds’ contributors, World Accord expresses its deep appreciation.