**UPDATE: The Government of Canada has increased the matching grant maximum to $5 million.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson urges members to pray for all who have been affected by the recent devastation in Lebanon and to support relief efforts.
“We pray for all those impacted by the recent events in Lebanon,” says Bishop Johnson. “All those who have been injured, those who worry and wait for news of loved ones, for all who work to bring relief and aid. Supporting this appeal is a chance for us to show our love for our neighbour in a tangible way.
It is estimated that the explosion on August 4 of a warehouse in the port of Beirut has left at least 100 people dead, and thousands injured. More than 300,000 people have lost their homes.
ELCIC’s partner Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is accepting donations to assist with the response to the Lebanon crisis. This morning the Government of Canada announced a plan to match donations made to provide assistance to the people of Lebanon following the disaster that devastated the city of Beruit this week.
The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, announced that the donations from individual Canadians made through organization such as CLWR before August 24 would be matched by the government, up to a maximum of $2 million.
“We’re so grateful for the Canadian government’s rapid response to this unimaginable crisis,” said Karin Achtelstetter, Executive Director of Canadian Lutheran World Relief. “We’re deeply concerned about this situation, where 300,000 people have suddenly become homeless in a country already dealing with an economic crisis and a pandemic. We urge Canadians to follow the Government’s lead in responding generously, and especially in taking advantage of this matching fund to make their gifts provide as much life-saving relief as possible.”
CLWR is responding to the devastation through its local partners in ACT Alliance who are on the ground in Lebanon, who are focused on life-saving immediate needs including shelter, food, clean water and trauma care.
Individuals and congregations wishing to support relief efforts can donate as follows:
- Make a designated offering donation for “Lebanon Crisis” through any ELCIC congregation.
- Call CLWR at 1-800-661-2597 (locally at 204-694-6502) to donate by credit card or go online at https://clwr.donorshops.com/lebanoncrisis.
- Send a cheque made payable to CLWR and mailed to CLWR, 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5. Please indicate that you wish to contribute to “Lebanon Crisis.”
