WCC lends support to quake-hit Indonesian churches
-01/06/06
World Council of Churches
WCC lends support to quake-hit Indonesian churches
-01/06/06
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, has assured both WCC member churches there and the country’s president of the WCC’s sympathy and solidarity in the light of the 27 May 2006 Java earthquake tragedy ñ and has spelt out the practical measures member churches are taking.
“WCC member churches also share your grief in this tragedy, and are committed and ready to contribute in any possible manner […] in alleviating the sufferings of the affected victims,” Kobia wrote in his letter to the Communion of Churches in Indonesia and to all WCC member churches in the country.
In aid terms, the humanitarian arm of the WCC, Action of Churches Together (ACT) was operational in Yogyakarta almost immediately after the earthquake, and is providing assistance to victims in the form of distribution of food and medicines and the evacuation of injured children.
Since the tragedy, “All of you have been in my thoughts and prayers,” Kobia said, while “millions of people world-wide prayed together in yesterday’s worship services, calling upon our gracious and merciful God to bring relief and comfort to the victims and their families”.
Meanwhile the UK-based international development agency Christian Aid has allocated £50,000 immediately available to partner organisations working in the aftermath of the Indonesia quake.
The money comes from Christian Aidís disasters and emergency funds and will cover shelter and medical assistance while more detailed assessments are made.
The agency says that is not at present launching a fresh appeal specifically for the Java quake. But it is suggesting to supporters in the churches and beyond that they can contribute to the general emergencies fund.
Relief organisations are keen to respond to crises, but they also seek to ensure that money is spread across a range of needs, and that due emphasis is given to longer term development.
[Also on Ekklesia: More church agencies gear up aid for Java quake zone 30/05/06; Mennonites describe Indonesian earthquake horror 30/05/06; Christian Aid and CAFOD respond to Indonesia tragedy 28/05/06 ; Churches respond immediately to Indonesia earthquake 27/05/06; Churches manage to ship supplies to tsunami zone; Tsunami: justice as well as relief needed, say Christians; Rebuilding in Indonesia a year on from the tsunami; Earthquake has increased fears say Christian workers; Imposition of Shariah on non-Muslims proposed in Aceh 27/05/06; Muslims offer to guard Christian churches in Indonesia; BBC to examine beheadings of Christian schoolgirls; Indonesian president in call for religious tolerance; Indonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; Indonesian Christians in fear after attacks and beheadings; Catholic agency arranging aid to earthquake zone; Church agency condemns Indonesian human rights decision]
WCC lends support to quake-hit Indonesian churches
-01/06/06
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, has assured both WCC member churches there and the country’s president of the WCC’s sympathy and solidarity in the light of the 27 May 2006 Java earthquake tragedy ñ and has spelt out the practical measures member churches are taking.
“WCC member churches also share your grief in this tragedy, and are committed and ready to contribute in any possible manner […] in alleviating the sufferings of the affected victims,” Kobia wrote in his letter to the Communion of Churches in Indonesia and to all WCC member churches in the country.
In aid terms, the humanitarian arm of the WCC, Action of Churches Together (ACT) was operational in Yogyakarta almost immediately after the earthquake, and is providing assistance to victims in the form of distribution of food and medicines and the evacuation of injured children.
Since the tragedy, “All of you have been in my thoughts and prayers,” Kobia said, while “millions of people world-wide prayed together in yesterday’s worship services, calling upon our gracious and merciful God to bring relief and comfort to the victims and their families”.
Meanwhile the UK-based international development agency Christian Aid has allocated £50,000 immediately available to partner organisations working in the aftermath of the Indonesia quake.
The money comes from Christian Aidís disasters and emergency funds and will cover shelter and medical assistance while more detailed assessments are made.
The agency says that is not at present launching a fresh appeal specifically for the Java quake. But it is suggesting to supporters in the churches and beyond that they can contribute to the general emergencies fund.
Relief organisations are keen to respond to crises, but they also seek to ensure that money is spread across a range of needs, and that due emphasis is given to longer term development.
[Also on Ekklesia: More church agencies gear up aid for Java quake zone 30/05/06; Mennonites describe Indonesian earthquake horror 30/05/06; Christian Aid and CAFOD respond to Indonesia tragedy 28/05/06 ; Churches respond immediately to Indonesia earthquake 27/05/06; Churches manage to ship supplies to tsunami zone; Tsunami: justice as well as relief needed, say Christians; Rebuilding in Indonesia a year on from the tsunami; Earthquake has increased fears say Christian workers; Imposition of Shariah on non-Muslims proposed in Aceh 27/05/06; Muslims offer to guard Christian churches in Indonesia; BBC to examine beheadings of Christian schoolgirls; Indonesian president in call for religious tolerance; Indonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; Indonesian Christians in fear after attacks and beheadings; Catholic agency arranging aid to earthquake zone; Church agency condemns Indonesian human rights decision]