The ACT Alliance has released its 2010 Annual Report, their first Annual Report! The ELCA is a member of ACT and we are grateful for their continued work of coordination that helps resources reach those in need with more efficiency and speed. Through their added value your gifts to ELCA Disaster Response can reach farther.

So read about how ACT coordinate their great work globally through stories, reports and financials and learn more about how the ELCA Disaster Response works with partners to carry out our good work. Learn about how they work with partners in the UN and around the world. Read about how dollars raised become lives enhanced. Read about how God’s work is being done through your support.

Also, read ACT’s General Secratary, John Nduna’s, letter about the report.

Early last Tuesday morning the Indonesian island of Sumatra was struck by a pair of earthquakes in the central district of North Tapanuli. The quakes had magnitudes of 5.5 and 5.6 and led to a general state of fear running through the population and the destruction of some buildings. Thankfully there was not a tsunami triggered by the quakes.

Though the damage caused by the quakes was relatively minor many residents moved to evacuation points because they still felt traumatized by the earthquakes. Though there has been no immediate request for assistance, the ELCA continues to walk with its companions on the ground, especially the Indonesian Christian Church, as they assess the situation and determine what future response may be needed.

Please lift up the people of North Tapanuli as they deal with the trauma of disrupted lives and raise a prayer of thanksgiving for the subdued nature of the destruction and for those who were quick to respond.

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

After the January referendum results were announced in February and it was learned that the overwhelming majority of Southern Sudanese were in favor of seceding from Sudan and forming a new country there were worries that violence would be renewed between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the north and Nuba-SPLA (Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army) in the south. Yet, immediately after the announcement violence was kept to a minimum and the world prepared for a new independent republic to be formed July 9, 2011 in the area currently known as Southern Sudan.

Unfortunately, this calm was broken this past week with fighting between the SAF and SPLA taking place in the region of South Kordofan, which rests on the border that will exist between the to-be-created republic and the country of Sudan. There have also been reports that this violence has spilled over to include a high number of civilian casualities. According to a June 11 OCHA Report over 50,000 people have been displaced because of the violence with around 6,000 finding refuge at the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) compound on the outskirts of Kadugli.

With much of the humanitarian and press core communities being kept out of the country reports are spotty and aid is scarce. As we learn more we will continue to post updates. In the meantime please keep the people of Sudan in prayer as the innocent fall victim to the ruthless ambitions of the few and as a new country strarts to find its footing in this volatile area.

To learn more check out the ELCA Disaster Response page Sudan: South Kordofan Conflict. To get involved see the ELCA’s Washington Office’s Action Alert.

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