Episcopal Relief & Development will be contributing through the ACT Alliance's general appeal for those affected by the recent flooding in Pakistan. Disaster response activities will help vulnerable people in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh.
After three weeks of what appear to be the heaviest monsoon rains in 35 years, over a third of Pakistan is now under water. This flooding is the worst natural disaster in the country's history. Beginning in the northern part of the country, the waters are continuing to move downstream, affecting major parts of the country in the south as well. According to recent estimates, nearly 14 million people are affected, and the figures are rising. The death toll has reached over 1,600 and around 2 million people are homeless.
"The scale of this disaster is tremendous," said Nagulan Nesiah, the International Program Officer overseeing Episcopal Relief & Development's response. "Especially for those who are more at risk in a disaster, like women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities, the need for relief is great."
The emergency relief provided by ACT's on-the-ground partners in Pakistan seeks to address the most basic needs of those affected by the flooding. ACT is working through local implementing partners to provide food and other critical items to over 86,500 people, shelter kits for 25,500 persons, and health care to 36,500 individuals.
In a place where food insecurity is already widespread and the celebration of Ramadan has led to price increases, food aid is especially important at this time. The food kits being distributed include rations of wheat flour, rice, cooking oil, pulses, sugar, tea and salt. In addition, families are being provided with jerry cans, plastic buckets, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, hygiene kits and plastic floor mats and sheeting to protect against the rain.
"Our prayers are with the millions of people who are affected by the flooding," Nesiah said, "and we pray for the aid workers in the region who are helping to bring relief to those in need."
Additionally, Episcopal Relief & Development is in touch with the Diocese of Peshawar of the Church of Pakistan. There are Episcopal Relief & Development funds available in the Diocese which are being redirected for flood assistance to 1,340 families in affected areas where the church has a presence and can deliver assistance. We continue to offer our prayers and stand in solidarity with their efforts.
June 2010 Archives
On April 20, 2010, an offshore oil rig exploded and sank, killing 11 people and causing a massive oil spill that is threatening states along the Gulf Coast. Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana http://www.ecsla.org (ECSLA) and their partner Bayou Grace Community Services http://www.ecsla.org to reach affected coastal communities in Louisiana's five-bayou parish of Terrebonne.
In many areas, fishing grounds and oyster beds have been closed because of oil contamination threats, leaving those who earn a living from fishing, shrimping, oyster harvesting and other related businesses without the means to support their families. There has not yet been an emergency food stamp program established in the Terrebonne region, southwest of New Orleans. Due to the 10-day waiting period for the standard food stamp program, families cannot get critical assistance when they find themselves in need. In addition, many families do not have the necessary information to make informed decisions about taking out loans or accepting financial settlements related to the spill.
"We're working to leverage our existing ministries and connections in the region to reach people who are falling through the cracks," said Katie Mears, Episcopal Relief & Development's Program Manager for USA Disaster Preparedness and Response. "This is happening because they can't access sufficient resources, whether because of transportation challenges, lack of information or uncertainty about the different avenues they might pursue for assistance."
Critical support will include distributing grocery cards that can be redeemed at local stores, gas cards for those who must travel to reach stores and distributing food items directly from the Dulac Community Center. In addition to food assistance, volunteers will provide legal assistance, pastoral care and information referrals both at the Bayou Grace office in Chauvin and with the help of an ECSLA vehicle. The RV will travel through the area on a set schedule, bringing information to those unable to travel to Chauvin.
"Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana is proud to support the resilient and hard-working residents of our fishing communities, whose livelihoods and very way of life are so gravely threatened by this disaster," said Nell Bolton, ECSLA's Executive Director. "As the long-term implications of the spill begin to sink in for all of us, we know that the Church needs to be a steady partner through these challenging times. ECSLA is also fortunate to be in partnership with Bayou Grace, with whom we share many values and whose local networks are invaluable to being able to reach the people most in need of our help."
"By helping to meet basic needs for food, providing information and pastoral care and offering guidance to address legal questions, we'll be able to assist families and communities in the face of ongoing anxiety and financial hardship," said Mears. "It will be extremely effective to tap into the existing network of churches and community centers in the area, because leaders connected with these sites already have a good understanding of the people in need in their communities."
To learn more about Episcopal Relief & Development's work or make a donation, please visit www.er-d.org http://www.er-d.org/ or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus' words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow's challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
In many areas, fishing grounds and oyster beds have been closed because of oil contamination threats, leaving those who earn a living from fishing, shrimping, oyster harvesting and other related businesses without the means to support their families. There has not yet been an emergency food stamp program established in the Terrebonne region, southwest of New Orleans. Due to the 10-day waiting period for the standard food stamp program, families cannot get critical assistance when they find themselves in need. In addition, many families do not have the necessary information to make informed decisions about taking out loans or accepting financial settlements related to the spill.
"We're working to leverage our existing ministries and connections in the region to reach people who are falling through the cracks," said Katie Mears, Episcopal Relief & Development's Program Manager for USA Disaster Preparedness and Response. "This is happening because they can't access sufficient resources, whether because of transportation challenges, lack of information or uncertainty about the different avenues they might pursue for assistance."
Critical support will include distributing grocery cards that can be redeemed at local stores, gas cards for those who must travel to reach stores and distributing food items directly from the Dulac Community Center. In addition to food assistance, volunteers will provide legal assistance, pastoral care and information referrals both at the Bayou Grace office in Chauvin and with the help of an ECSLA vehicle. The RV will travel through the area on a set schedule, bringing information to those unable to travel to Chauvin.
"Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana is proud to support the resilient and hard-working residents of our fishing communities, whose livelihoods and very way of life are so gravely threatened by this disaster," said Nell Bolton, ECSLA's Executive Director. "As the long-term implications of the spill begin to sink in for all of us, we know that the Church needs to be a steady partner through these challenging times. ECSLA is also fortunate to be in partnership with Bayou Grace, with whom we share many values and whose local networks are invaluable to being able to reach the people most in need of our help."
"By helping to meet basic needs for food, providing information and pastoral care and offering guidance to address legal questions, we'll be able to assist families and communities in the face of ongoing anxiety and financial hardship," said Mears. "It will be extremely effective to tap into the existing network of churches and community centers in the area, because leaders connected with these sites already have a good understanding of the people in need in their communities."
To learn more about Episcopal Relief & Development's work or make a donation, please visit www.er-d.org http://www.er-d.org/ or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus' words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow's challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
(Episcopal
News Service) Presiding Bishop Katharine
Jefferts Schori has issued a pastoral letter to the Episcopal Church, in
which she refers to the Pentecost letter from Archbishop of Canterbury
Rowan Williams and urges continued dialogue with those who disagree with
recent actions "for we believe that the Spirit is always calling us to
greater understanding."
In his May 28 letter, Williams acknowledged the tensions caused in some parts of the Anglican Communion by the consecration of Los Angeles Bishop Suffragan Mary Douglas Glasspool and the ongoing unauthorized incursions by Anglican leaders into other provinces. Glasspool is the Episcopal Church's second openly gay, partnered bishop. MORE
In his May 28 letter, Williams acknowledged the tensions caused in some parts of the Anglican Communion by the consecration of Los Angeles Bishop Suffragan Mary Douglas Glasspool and the ongoing unauthorized incursions by Anglican leaders into other provinces. Glasspool is the Episcopal Church's second openly gay, partnered bishop. MORE
On Sunday, Sept. 12, we will return to our regular schedule, with services at 8:00a, 9:00a, 11:00a & 5:00p. Also on that day Sunday School classes and Adult Christian Formation classes resume, meeting at 10:10a.
Rally Sunday Barbecue Lunch, 12:15p
Rally Sunday Barbecue Lunch, 12:15p
All are invited to a BBQ picnic lunch welcoming our new rector, The Rev. James P. Adams, on Rally Sunday following the 11:00 service. Watch for more information.
Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 21 in the parish hall for lunch and a talk by Derrick Smith, Manager of the NC Dept. of Transportation Wildflower
Project. All are welcome to attend ($5 lunch donation).
For reservations and other information, contact Cassie Struthers at 834-6259 x100.
For reservations and other information, contact Cassie Struthers at 834-6259 x100.
