Meeting the Needs of Afghanistan Refugees:
Members Respond Generously to World Hunger Fund Challenge

A total of $75,000 from the Community of Christ World Hunger Fund has been donated for distribution through Church World Service to aid Afghanistan’s refugees. In addition to the $25,000 granted in December 2001, members were challenged that all donations above the average amount to the World Hunger Fund in February and March would also be donated to this cause. The response equaled $50,000.

These funds were initially focused on meeting 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. Church World Service is now concentrating its efforts on long-term rehabilitation including a women’s income-generation program, education campaigns, and shelter reconstruction. World Church stewardship commissioner Ken Schnell said, “There is no question that the generous financial support that has been shared by so many will meet a wide variety of essential needs, but my hope now is that we as stewards will have found a warm place in our hearts for these special people who have been so adversely affected by these tragic events.”

After determining preliminary totals from the challenge in April, $30,000 was sent to Church World Service. Final accounting numbers revealed that members gave a total of $50,000 above the average amount to the World Hunger Fund during February and March. The final disbursement of $20,000 was sent to Church World Service in June.

World Hunger Fund chair Wallace B. Smith said, “Although there is less news about the refugee situation, we know conditions are still extremely difficult in the camps. Our hope is that members and friends will continue to support these unfortunate people prayerfully as well as with donations to organizations like Church World Service who are engaged in relief efforts.” More information about the work of Church World Service in Afghanistan is available at www.churchworldservice.org/Reports2001/afghanistan/index.htm.

-Kendra Friend reporting