Relief Efforts Underway in Myanmar As Death Toll Grows

Thursday, May 15, A.D. 2008

As Church World Service relief efforts get underway in Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Week of Compassion has now sent $25,000 toward the recently issued CWS appeal of $1 million dollars – an appeal that is expected to increase as work expands and relief operations move toward long term recovery. Long established partnerships with local organizations have given CWS and its member communions an effective way to respond to survivors of this massive humanitarian disaster in spite of government intransigence, continued bad weather, overwhelming human need, crippled infrastructure and other hindrances. To view a slide show of relief efforts, click here.

The death toll continues to rise, and relief officials fear the final total may exceed 125,000 people. More than 2 million people are in dire need of assistance. The Week of Compassion Committee, meeting later this month, will consider a proposal for a response to the crisis of up to $100,000 on behalf of the Disciples. Designated gifts are most welcome and can be made online or sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indpls, IN 46206. Gifts will be used in their entirety for cyclone relief and recovery.

Church Partner in China Begins Earthquake Response

An area in western China the size of Maryland was devastated by a 7.9 quake earlier this week, the worst quake in China in 30 years. The Amity Foundation, longtime Disciples, CWS and ACT partner in China, has begun relief operations in the earthquake-stricken province of Sichuan. The death toll now is approaching 20,000 but is expected to grow significantly as tens of thousands of people remain trapped or unaccounted for. Amity, working through an extensive network of local partners, is providing water, emergency food, quilts and plastic sheeting to more than 8,000 of the most vulnerable surviving families. In response to an initial appeal of $200,000 from CWS, WOC has made an initial response of $17,000. Designated contributions are needed and welcomed and will also be used 100% for quake relief and recovery.

WOC Responds to Tornadoes and Wildfires in the U.S.

In response to several U.S. disasters, including tornadoes in the Midwest and South and wildfires in Florida, WOC has assisted several Disciples members affected and supported local community response efforts, as well as given support to a recently issued CWS U.S. Spring Storm appeal. WOC continues to monitor the situation and would appreciate any assistance in identifying Disciples congregations and members that have been affected.

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.