Members Respond to Needs 
of Afghanistan Refugees

To date, $55,000 from Community of Christ has been donated for distribution through Church World Service to aid Afghanistan’s refugees. These funds are being used to meet the basic living needs of people displaced by Taliban rule, the devastation of the air strikes, and the impact of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, as well as for long-term rehabilitation efforts.

In December 2001, $25,000 from the Community of Christ World Hunger Fund was granted to Church World Service for this purpose. In addition, contributions to the World Hunger Fund beyond the average amount from February and March were also designated for distribution to Church World Service to further aid Afghan refugees. Preliminary totals indicate that donations to the World Hunger Fund above the average amount during February and March were more than $30,000. A check for $30,000 has been sent to Church World Service, and after the final accounting numbers are calculated, a final distribution will be made. The grand total will be reported in two to three months.

Afghanistan has among the largest number of refugees and displaced persons in the world. Church World Service is beginning to shift from simply offering relief to helping people rebuild their lives. The organization is now focusing on shelter reconstruction and programs that will generate income for the people of Afghanistan.

World Church stewardship commissioner Kenneth Schnell said, “When we choose to offer the opportunity to provide aid in these types of situations, people always respond.” World Hunger Fund Committee chair, President Emeritus Wallace B. Smith agreed. “It has been demonstrated over and over that our members and friends give generously when they are made aware of the needs,” he said.

-Kendra Friend reporting