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ELCA Blogs

Lutheran Disaster Response

Mozambique: Potential Rains Raise Risk of Continued Flooding

Mozambique MapIn late January/early February heavy rains in region of southeastern Africa led to swelled rivers and heavy flooding in Mozambique. One of the hardest hit areas has been the Gaza Province in the south of the country, particularly along the Limpopo River. Over 140,000 of the nearly 170,000 people displaced country wide are from this province, as well as 38 of the 55 deaths. The situation is distressing since this is still early on in the rainy season for the region, which extends from January to April. As of this past week there have been reports of coming rains continue to affect the region, with fears of even further flooding.

The Lutheran World Federation, of which the ELCA is a member, has been responding. In fact, the LWF was the first humanitarian actor to reach some of the more affected areas, helping to assess the extent of damage and needs in affected communities. The response has also involved distributing mosquito nets, blankets, kitchen equipment, water purification and hygiene kits. The LWF is also looking into supplying seeds to affected farms, since 40% of crops have been destroyed by standing flood waters. There has also been a spike in cholera cases in affected areas.

To learn more about the situation and the LWF’s response, check out their blog: Mozambique Floods Feb 2013.

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond locally and globally in times of need. Donate now.

South Sudan: Healing Through Play

Children playing after school at the Yusuf Batil camp in Maban, South Sudan. Credit: LWF/Melany Markham

Children playing after school at the Yusuf Batil camp in Maban, South Sudan.

The school day has finished and the children are running out the doors to find their favorite jump rope or ball or to join their favorite game. As the children laugh and pant, running around the field the sun finally sets and they head home for dinner, tired but happy.

A pretty common story for many of us as we remember back to our childhood days, as well it should be. These moments of play can have a major impact on the children who engage in them. This fact is not lost on the Lutheran World Federation who has taken seriously the need and impact of play as an act of healing for children in refugee camps, who may be escaping violence or disease. In places like Yusuf Batil camp in Maban, South Sudan the LWF is creating child-friendly spaces and supplying the resources to let kids be kids, in the midst of this major disruption in their lives.

It’s another great example of how the ELCA, through our membership in the LWF, is helping to support more holistic approaches to disaster response and humanitarian aid. In the United States we support a similar program called Camp Noah, to help children process the impacts of disaster upon their lives.

To learn more about how this particular ministry is playing out at the Yusuf Batil camp and why it is so important, read the LWF story Healing through Play.

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond globally in times of need. Donate now.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Renewed Fighting Leads to Growing Refugee Population

People displaced by fighting in Goma wait for assistance. Credit: Tarik Tinazay/DKH-ACT

In the Democratic Republic of Congo fighting has intensified, as the major city of Goma (pop. 700,000) was seized by rebel fighters. Caught in the middle are the hundreds of thousands of residents in the city. Lutheran church leaders around the globe are appealing to both sides for safe access for humanitarian aid agencies into the country and city. The situation has led thousands of residents to flee their homes to camps within the country as well as those across the borders in neighboring Rwanda and Uganda.

The ELCA, working through our membership in the Lutheran World Federation is helping to respond by providing water resources in the only settlement where recent Congolese refugees are arriving in Uganda. The Lutheran World Federation/Department of World Services programs in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are preparing to help people who have been displaced in the conflict. Helping supplement this work is staff from the Nairobi-based Regional Emergency Hub, set in place to help respond quickly and efficiently to disaster needs in East Africa. They will be assisting with assessments and support during the scaling-up of humanitarian efforts. The ELCA has been a major contributor to the establishment of these hubs.

In the coming days and weeks, a growing concern is the availability of clean water for affected populations. The worry is the potential for a serious outbreak of disease due to the unsanitary conditions. As things develop the ELCA and Lutheran World Federation will continue to focus on livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene related activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the refugee camps in neighboring Uganda.

As we enter into this season of Thanksgiving please raise a prayer for those affected by violence and potentially empty plates and cups in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and the many places around the world who do not have peace on this day.

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond globally in times of need. Donate now.

Nigeria: Heavy Floods & Continued Fighting

Map of flooding across West Africa Sahel Region. Credit: OCHA

Africa’s most heavily populated country has been spent much of 2012 responding to disasters. Earlier this year the country was affected by drought which spread throughout much of West Africa. Heavy rains in August/September have led to flooding throughout the country, with 24 of the 32 states severely affected and over 7 million people affected. In the midst of these natural disasters, the year has seen increased fighting between the militant group Boko Haram and the Nigerian militaryy. This has led to fear among many, particularly Christians in the northern part of the country who have been targeted by the group.

The ELCA has been in communications with our companions in the region, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, as to the best ways to respond. Please keep the people of Nigeria and our brothers and sisters of the Lutheran church there in prayer that Christ may bring them peace and security in the midst of destruction and fear.

To lean more about the affects of flooding on Nigeria and region you can check out these resources:

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond locally and globally in times of need. Donate now.

South Sudan: Trial and Error and then…Smiles

Children filling up the school grounds as they eagerly await the start of classes. Credit: LWF/South Sudan

This past year the Lutheran World Federation set up three Emergency Hubs in areas prone to disasters. Their intent was to preposition staffing and resources in areas of the world prone to disaster. One of these hubs was set up in Nairobi to help address the needs of East Africa. When violence began to break out in South Sudan in areas like Juba, Blue Nile and Jonglei the LWF was able to help respond quickly from this hub. Yet, as is the case with disasters there are always unforeseen circumstances and situations.

Below is a great story from Mairo Retief, the Emergency Hub Team Leader in East Africa, on his experiences in Maban as they worked to meet the growing needs of South Sudanese displaced by violence, especially unaccompanied minors. It shares the trials that come with working with the multiple moving parts of pulling together a disaster response and also the immense joy that comes along with seeing the difference made.

LWF in Maban has all been worth it!

You can also learn about the LWF-run schools in their report: It’s Crowded but Learning Has Started under Tents in Upper Nile.

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond globally in times of need. Donate now.

New Resources: Horn of Africa One-Year Later

During the summer of last year major drought spread throughout the Horn of Africa, affecting countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. From the onset the ELCA has been helping in the response, providing cups of water and food to arriving refugees, working with communities to stave off illness and helping local populations leverage their knowledge to better prepare themselves for further disasters. This work has been made possible thanks to generous gifts from people like you.

As a way of marking this occassion and to help share about the good work we as this church are engaged in we share with you the following two Horn of Africa: One Year Later resources:

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond locally and globally in times of need. Donate Now