The ELCIC’s Global Hunger and Development Appeal (GHDA) is accepting donations to support relief efforts in Peru following the 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Peru near Pisco on Wednesday, August 15 at 6:41 p.m. local time.
National and local authorities indicate that there are almost 17,000 families affected (mostly by loss of homes), atleast 540 deaths and close to 1,600 injured. In rural areas the total number of destroyed homes could be as high as 70,000.
Designated funds received by GHDA will be sent on to CLWR who is partnering with Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.
The BC Synod’s Faith and Society Committee announced that it has forwarded $5,000 to GHDA, "to assist with the relief and development work that will be needed in the midst of this crisis."
The BC Synod is the Companion Synod of the Peruvian Evangelical Lutheran Church (ILEP) and while reports from President Pedro Bullon indicate that none of the ILEP communities have been directly impacted, members of the Lutheran churches have friends and family in the affected areas. Prior to the earthquake, plans had already been well underway for a visit to Peru from members of the BC Synod. After determining that congregations of the ILEP were not largely affected by the earthquake, Bishop Gerhard and Winn Preibisch, along with 11 people from Christ Lutheran, Chilliwack left for their Companion Synod trip on Friday, August 17. A blog has been set up for the group to contribute to during their two weeks in Peru (http://www.clcperu2007.blogspot.com/ ).
To support relief efforts in Peru, donations can be made to GHDA – Peru Earthquake Appeal as follows:
– Via the ELCIC Website: www.elcic.ca (click on the "Donate Now" link)
– By mail: GHDA, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6 (please indicate "GHDA-Peru Earthquake Appeal" in the memo portion of the cheque)
– Through all GHDA Congregations
The ELCIC’s Global Hunger and Development Appeal (GHDA) works in partnership with Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) in order to carry out development and emergency response work internationally along with refugee resettlement in Canada.
A bulletin insert has been made available so that congregations can easily distribute information on this appeal. It can be found at the following link: https://elcic.ca/GHDA/GHDA-Appeal/documents/PeruEarthquake.pdf
—————————————————————–
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.
Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.
For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Manager of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca
Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.
