February 1, 2012

Aid Flows to Central America, Africa, and Turkey

BY KENDRA FRIEND, Integrated Communications

Because of your generosity, the church is expressing its generosity in three areas of the world wracked by tragedy.

The church recently sent $35,000 in aid—funded through your contributions to the Abolish Poverty, End Suffering mission initiative—to provide relief in Central America, Africa, and Turkey.

Central America

Oblation and World Hunger Fund grants equaling $20,000 are providing continued flood relief in Central America. The funding is being distributed through church affiliate World Accord to help people experiencing food shortages and difficulties replanting crops.

In El Salvador, this grant follows $10,000 in Oblation funds shared in October that focused aid on church families. Our prayers continue to be with people in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, where two weeks of torrential rains in mid-October led to flooding, mudslides, and large-scale crop losses.

“This was critical for a region where about 40 percent of people already experience some form of food insecurity,” reported Nelson Rosales of World Accord.

In Sacacoyo and Tehuicho, El Salvador, corn and beans are being provided for 30 families. Seeds to restart crop production will be given to 10 families. These families, which already lived well below the poverty line, now have lost their homes. This aid will help them transition to stable living arrangements.

In the central Guatemala highlands, organic fertilizer will help 315 indigenous farming families that lost corn crops. These families already were receiving emergency rations. Providing fertilizer is essential to help them resume farming.

In southern Honduras, two weeks of emergency food rations are being shared with 100 families that lost their livelihoods and homes. Each lives well below the Honduran poverty line, already experiencing constant food insecurity.

Horn of Africa

The problems in the Horn of Africa don’t stem from flooding; they come from drought.

Oblation aid of $10,000 is providing continued famine relief as the area’s worst drought in 60 years inflicts a crisis on 12.5 million people. This grant is helping continue Mercy Corps International’s efforts that the church initially supported in July with $20,000 from Oblation.

“This assistance is a powerful testimony for the church in fulfilling its mission to be builders of communities of joy, hope, love and peace,” Apostle Bunda Chibwe said.

Kenya Mission Centre President Robert Adie added, “We are glad for what the World Church has done…The situation is pathetic, and we are in constant prayer.”

Mercy Corps is providing emergency supplies to children and families in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

Assistance includes:

Water. Hundreds of thousands of liters of clean drinking water is being trucked into areas for consumption and storage and to keep livestock alive.
Food. Emergency distribution of staples and cooking oil is helping feed 20,000 people.
Commerce. Cash voucher programs are allowing poor people to buy goods and bolster the economy.
Health. Mobile clinics are diagnosing and treating malnutrition in mothers and children. They’re also vaccinating children.
Credit. This is encouraging traders to buy frail livestock for a fair price from herders who would lose everything if their animals died.

Adie realizes this is a long-term crisis. “The most affected congregations in our mission are Lower and Nortonville, and Nuking will be following soon,” he said. He reported that church members in other areas of Africa also are helping. Apostle Chibwe understands why.

“The African disciples…like to be involved in the struggles and blessings of other people.”

Turkey

A $5,000 Oblation grant is aiding survivors following two deadly earthquakes. This grant is supporting relief efforts through the Turkish Red Crescent. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the eastern region October 23, and a 5.6-magnitude quake followed November 9.

The October earthquake killed more than 600 people. It left thousands more homeless in freezing conditions. The November quake killed at least seven more and destroyed many buildings. Red Crescent is providing relief supplies, including tents, blankets, food, and water.

Although Community of Christ has no official presence in Turkey, we unite with others in prayer for all those affected.

“I appreciate the generosity of church members, which has enabled this level of support for the people of Turkey who are suffering,” Apostle Richard James said. “Thank you for providing this support.”

Your Generosity Is Making Mission Real

You can give to Abolish Poverty, End Suffering and all of the mission initiatives at www.CofChrist.org/give/contributeand on the worldwide ministries side of your offering envelopes. Because of your ongoing contributions to this mission initiative, Community of Christ is able to respond as a worldwide church to help in Central America, the Horn of Africa, Turkey, and around the world.