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The world is experiencing one of the highest concentration of disasters, in recent times. Various populations confront extreme child malnutrition, even starvation. More people are displaced now than ever before.  Many communities face weeks, if not months of waiting for weather to calm and repairs to begin.

Lives all across the globe are being ripped apart by conflict, earthquakes, severe storms, flooding, and drought. When the cameras leave, and the world turns it’s head, Lutheran Disaster Response stays behind to make sure that “the least of these,” are provided a chance at a “new normal.”

Through dedicated colleagues, trusted partners, our network of affiliates and companion churches, we have presence and knowledge of the needs at the local level. Your gifts are urgently needed for rapid and flexible response. We cannot do this important work without you.

Through Lutheran Disaster Response, your gifts will provide help and hope in the face of devastation. Thanks to a generous donor, your gift now will be matched – dollar for dollar – until we reach $100,000.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by disaster, may God’s healing presence comfort them in their time of need.

Give

Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response will be will be matched – dollar for dollar – until we reach $100,000.

Connect

To learn more about what Lutheran Disaster Response is doing:

• Use this bulletin insert to share within your networks.
• Visit our website at LDR.org
• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook.
• Follow us on Twitter.

What happened?

The first ever World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) took place last week. The summit was a global call to action with three main goals:

1. To re-inspire and reinvigorate a commitment to humanity and to the universality of humanitarian principles.
2. To initiate a set of concrete actions and commitments aimed at enabling countries and communities to better prepare for and respond to crises, and be resilient to shocks.
3. To share best practices which can help save lives around the world, put affected people at the center of humanitarian action, and alleviate suffering.

At the Summit, global leaders– approximately 5,000 leaders from government, voluntary agencies, affected communities, and many others– were tasked with discussing how to effectively respond to major humanitarian challenges, and how to be better prepared to meet challenges of the future.

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, lifted up five core responsibilities in his opening statement:

• Prevent and end conflict
• Respect rules of war
• Leave no one behind
• Working differently to end need
• Invest in humanity

What does this all mean and why should we care?

The world’s largest humanitarian crisis, since WWII, is happening right now. In 2015:

• 125 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance
• 60 million people were forced from their homes
• 37 countries were affected
• $20 billion dollars were needed

These statistics continue to ring true. Every day, more than 100 million people affected by natural and man-made disasters face impossible choices.

 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

Mark 12: 31

As members of the body of Christ, we are called to love our neighbor. Love is not still. Love does not look from a far and hope for better. Love creates hope for those affected. Love is action. With the world watching, leaders from all over made commitments to be present in the world and love their neighbors. Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to bring God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the US and around the world. Keep us in your prayers as search for more efficient and effective ways to serve our neighbors.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by disaster, may God’s healing presence comfort them in their time of need.

Give

Your undesignated gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response will be used where the need is greatest.

Connect

To learn more about what Lutheran Disaster Response is doing:

• Visit our website at LDR.org
• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook.
• Follow us on Twitter.

To learn more about the World Humanitarian Summit:

• Visit the World Humanitarian Summit website
  • Chair’s Summary Report
• Report of the UN Secretary-General for the WHS

On April 14, 6:25 pm local time, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Kumamoto, Japan. Another 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit Kumamoto only 2 days later. Over 1,000 aftershocks continued to shake the area between and after the 2 earthquakes. To date, there have been 49 confirmed deaths, including a member of Kurume Lutheran Church, and over 25,000 buildings deemed unsafe, leaving many homeless. The ELCA has 10 mission personnel in Kumamoto and along with our companions, have been reported safe. Lutheran-affiliated buildings received some damage.

Nobuo Inoue’s Story

Nobuo Inoue’s home was fine after the first earthquake on April 14. However, the second quake, in the early hours of April 16, made his house completely unstable. “I don’t know how I got out,” recounts Inoue. “The power had gone out and somehow I escaped my house,” he said. “If there was any sign of hope, the cross I had hanging in my entrance way remained.”

Being in the construction business, Inoue was called by Pastor Motoi Koizumi to come help repair some damage done to Kengun Lutheran Church. “I felt so alone after escaping my house that I came right to church.”

Now, Inoue lives in his car while he takes his meals at the church. In fact, the church has housed as many as 40 whose homes became inhabitable after the earthquakes, as well as proving meals to those whose livelihoods have been disrupted.

Inoue can safely re-enter his house and in his gratitude for what his congregation has done to help him, he wants to take in those who remain homeless.

Story and photo by: Franklin Ishida, Area Director for Asia Pacific

The earthquakes were the strongest that have hit Japan in the last five years. The Lutheran churches and schools in Kumamoto are gathering points for people, like Nobuo, in their communities, and their members are helping provide whatever assistance is still needed. Working with our trusted partners and the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lutheran Disaster Response is working to bring God’s hope, healing, and help to those affected by the earthquakes.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by the earthquakes. May God’s healing presence comfort them in their time of need.

Give

Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response, International will be used to assist those directly impacted by the earthquake until the response is complete. Select Lutheran Disaster Response, International from the Designation drop-down list.)

Connect

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.

“Starting to work again, but for others”

By: Takeshi Komino

April 26^th 2016

One missing body has been found in Aso-Mountain yesterday, and the death toll from direct consequence of earthquake is now 49.  In addition to this number, at least 13 people have lost their lives due to hardship during evacuation process. For many, the start of the week was a mixed one; some started to clean the rubble in their houses, some started to work, and some are still not ready to go outside of evacuation center.  There are many scenarios, but even for those who started to go to work, their primary motive seems to be ‘assisting others’.

Ms. Rika, a pregnant mother with her son Mondo (rare name in Japanese, but they named him after Italian/French word of ‘the world’), stayed in a car after the earthquake for 10 days.

Staying and sleeping in the car was not an easy thing, and even after major part of their house was cleaned up, Mondo refused to go back home, and he named their car ‘a house at the time of earthquake’.  After a while Mondo accepted and their family went back home, but he doesn’t want to sleep alone in a bedroom while his mother is in the living room.  Being close to his loved ones seem to be keeping him up from traumatic experience nearly 2 weeks ago.

Being able to go to kindergarten seems like a great relief for many children.  This is a place where children can feel safe, with teachers they are so much used to.  Parents are also relieved as this gives them time to work or to do necessary clean-ups and administrative processes towards their recovery.

While I was seeing and hearing about how this helps the children and parents, I wondered where these teachers and caretakers come from.  Are they not affected?  When I asked this question, all of them replied ‘we are also from this community, and we come here from our cars or evacuation centers’.  Despite the fact that they have the same needs as other affected community members, they come here and work.  One of them said “because they need this”.

Ms. Uemura (above photo: right) was reporting to the mother how her daughter was during the day, and what she could do well.  The mother then asked her ‘how should we deal when the child refuse to do everything?’.  These are questions all parents ask at some point in time, and presence of people like Ms. Uemura is very encouraging for young parents.  After this family went home, I asked Ms. Uemura about her own situation.  She said “my children are now living with my sister so that I could work here”.  Initially, she thought she would be away from her children for a week until the school for her children re-opens, but it is over 10 days now, and she doesn’t know how much longer it would take for her to reunite with her own children.

Every day counts when one has a young child, because they grow up every day.  It is not easy to be away, but she made a conscious decision of come here and work.  When I asked why, she said “I think it is natural when you work for YMCA”.  It seems to link with what other teachers said “because they need this”.

All interviews and photos are by Takeshi Komino, Japan Country Representative, Church World Service.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by the earthquakes. May God’s healing presence comfort them in their time of need.

Give

Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response, International will be used to assist those directly impacted by the earthquake until the response is complete. (Select Lutheran Disaster Response, International from the Designation drop-down list.)

Connect

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.

On April 25, 2015, around 11:55 a.m. local time, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Nepal, with its epicenter approximately 43 miles from its capital city, Kathmandu. The earthquake was felt around the whole country, but the Kathmandu valley and western region of the country were hit hardest.

On May 12, 2015, just a little more than two weeks later, around 12:50 p.m. local time, another earthquake struck Nepal approximately 47 miles northeast of its capital, Kathmandu – an area already affected by the April 25 earthquake. The 7.3-magnitude earthquake, while still considered an aftershock of the previous quake, was followed by several strong aftershocks that continue to be felt in the region.

More than 8,460 people were killed and more than 480,000 homes damaged or destroyed. As a church, we have been and will continue to walk with our sisters and brothers of Nepal, responding to the needs of our neighbor.

Our Response:

Emergency Relief

Relief aid was provided to people within days of the first and second earthquakes. Immediate distribution of ready-to-eat food, blankets and hygiene kits were provided to households. Water filtration units and personal care kits were also a priority in the beginning stages of recovery.

Agriculture and Development

Many families were poor before the disaster, but the earthquakes have tipped some into absolute poverty. Cash-for-work programs have been initiated for debris cleanup and water maintenance. Small grants and training for self-help groups are being organized. Training in agriculture, livestock support and income generation is taking place in rural areas. Because much of the land was disrupted by the earthquake, support has been given to farmers with seed distribution, irrigation projects and soil management. Ten mini tractors have also been supplied.

Shelter

The earthquakes destroyed or damaged more than 500,000 homes. The timing of the earthquakes meant that reconstruction of housing, a most pressing need, could not take place before the annual monsoon season. Emergency shelter kits were distributed and people constructed temporary shelters. Now, people are ready to reconstruct their homes and want to learn how to make them earthquake resistant. Masons are being taught earthquake resistant techniques, technical support is being given and grants for reconstruction are being distributed. By working together, we will build back better.

Health and Education

The Shanti Nepal primary health clinic provided emergency medical treatment after the earthquakes. Although the clinic is in need
of improvements, it is meeting some initial health care needs in communities. Support is being provided with repairs, training and equipment. Rebuilding and repairing is also taking place at Elim Kids Academy, a Christian school that the ELCA helps support by providing scholarships and teacher training programs. Temporary learning centers have been set up in areas until the government is able to rebuild schools.

Looking Ahead:

Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to helping communities in Nepal be resilient to future disasters. This will happen through education and capacity building, income generating trainings and activities, progressive farming techniques and methods, access to and reconstruction of safe and secure permanent housing, and uplifting gender justice, human dignity and advocacy.

As a church, we are often present where others are not – reaching out to the “least of these.” In response and recovery efforts to the Nepal earthquakes, special attention has been given to people living with disabilities, ethnic minorities,  women and children.

Your gifts made it possible for our church to respond – bringing help, hope and healing to our Nepal neighbors. But they still need your help. By working together, we can do far more than we ever could alone.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by the earthquakes, especially as they work to rebuild their homes and lives. Pray for staff that will work alongside survivors in communities affected.

Give

Your gifts are still needed. Gifts designated for the “Nepal Area Earthquake” will be used in full (100 percent) to assist those directly impacted until the response is complete. Gifts from people like you allow us to continue to serve those in need.

Connect

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Share this resource  and bulletin insert with your congregation to inform and encourage support.
• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.

In late February and early March, a profusion of strong winds, tornadoes and flood waters ripped through the southeastern region of the United States. The severe weather has left thousands in need of assistance. More than 35,000 have registered for FEMA assistance in Louisiana alone.

Through congregations, synods and Upbring (formerly known as Lutheran Social Services of the South), our disaster affiliate organization, Lutheran Disaster Response is working to assist those who have been affected by the flooding.

Or coordinator, Jessica Vermilyea, said, “Many families woke during the night to discover water in their homes, flooded vehicles and having to leave everything behind. The literal darkness of that experience, combined with the fear of their unknown futures, weighs heavily on each of them.”

Meet Nikki

Nikki’s husband lives with Crohn’s disease and her daughter is expecting her first child any day now. She told me that she is doing what she can each and every day to help her family get back on their feet. Because Nikki’s home was not located in a flood zone, she did not carry flood insurance and remains hopeful there will be federal assistance to help meet her needs, but fears it won’t be enough. Currently, her family is living with relatives and trying to salvage what they can. Nikki’s biggest concern at the moment, is making sure her new grandbaby will have a safe place to come home to. She is very thankful for the help she’s receiving and prays for continued strength and guidance.

There are many more, like Nikki, which have lost almost everything, and are fearful of not being able to recover. We will continue to monitor the situation until long-term recovery needs are become more defined and the community’s efforts to address long term recovery of survivors are more organized. We will then know how we will work with our many partners in the community to accompany survivors to rebuild their lives and achieve their “New Normal.” We will share those details with you as they become available.

In the meantime, Volunteers are needed now in both Louisiana and Texas, to assist with gutting and clean-up work from the recent flooding.

Groups interested in volunteering in Louisiana can contact Jessica Vermilyea by email at Jessica.Vermilyea@upbring.org or by phone at 504-376-9121.

For groups interested in volunteering in Texas, please contact the VRC listed below.

Deweyville VRC Location (serving Orange County):

Deweyville High School

171 TX-12 Orange, TX 77632

409.233.7872

deweyvillevrc@gmail.com

Be a part of the response:

Your gifts to respond to these U.S. spring storms through Lutheran Disaster Response will work to bring God’s hope, healing and renewal to those who have been affected.

Gifts designated for U.S. Spring Storms will be used in full (100 percent) until the response is complete to help disaster survivors recover and rebuild their lives. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help address the unmet needs of those affected.

Join me in prayer and partnership, and use this bulletin insert in your congregation to help spread the word and support those who need rest.

As you begin to make plans for future mission trips for rebuild groups, please keep these areas in mind.