Growing Food Crisis Sparks Concern Among Disciples

Thursday, April 17, A.D. 2008

Week of Compassion has begun receiving a number of calls and emails about the growing food crisis in the world and what WOC is doing in response. Indeed, a number of international organizations, including numerous humanitarian agencies, have issued warnings about the rising prices of food and the impact on the world’s poor. The World Bank has said that food prices have risen more than 80 percent over the past three years. Violent protests have already erupted in a dozen countries, and scores more face serious food shortages this year.

High oil prices, bad weather, food grains (especially corn) diverted to bio-fuel production, globalization of markets, further devaluation of the U.S. dollar and other forces are combining to form a “perfect storm” to put millions of lives of the world’s poorest people at risk.

WOC has received a number of alerts from church partners on the ground who are already responding to the crisis in their respective countries, as well as developing additional response plans. Also, WOC is in touch with Church World Service (CWS) and other ecumenical partners about developing a resource with the most up-to-date information available and how, together, we might make the most appropriate, coordinated response. In the meantime, WOC is setting up a new designated account, “world food crisis,” that will enable interested Disciples to respond. Contributions can be made online or sent to Week of Compassion, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

WOC Responds to Wildfires in Colorado

Wildfires on the eastern plains of Colorado forced the evacuation of the town of Ordway (some 1200 residents). Two households in the First Christian Church family lost their homes. Week of Compassion has responded with an emergency grant to assist those two families and is working with FCC about additional responses the congregation will support in the larger community. Stan Hamamoto will begin a new pastorate with the congregation next week.

WOC Map/Poster

Click here for the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster. For a complimentary copy of the map/poster for your congregation, call the office at 317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.