27 December 2004
MRDF LAUNCHES ASIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
The Methodist Relief and Development Fund has launched an appeal
to aid the victims of the earthquake that struck Asia and has so
far caused about 22,000 deaths. Anyone wishing to contribute to the
appeal should send a cheque payable to MRDF to 25 Marylebone Road,
London, NW1 5JR, with a covering note saying that it is for the
Asian earthquake fund.
Kevin Fray, MRDF Supporter Relations Co-ordinator , said "many of
us were shocked to see the scenes of destruction after the
earthquake and waves struck across a wide part of the Asia Pacific
region. MRDF will send the funds raised to the local relief
agencies who need it most. We will as usual work closely with ACT
to ensure that donations go quickly and effectively to those who
are suffering."
MRDF partner Action by Churches Together (ACT) has already started
aiding efforts by ecumenical church groups to provide food, shelter
and medical supplies to the affected areas. In Sri Lanka, where
more than 5,800 people are said to have died, the National Council
of Churches in Sri Lanka (NCCSL) reports that two truckloads of
essential food items and water will leave today for Muttur in
Trincomalee and the other to Thirukovil in Batticaloa, two of the
worst hit areas.
In India, ACT member Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA)
reports that 12 teams have been deployed, both assisting and
assessing needs of people in the coastal areas. Four strategic
operational points are being set up: two in Tamil Nadu at Trichy
and Drinamvenny, one in Andhra Pradesh, and another one in Kerala
to assist some 50,000 families. The official death toll in India so
far is more than 4,000 people. CASA however reports that the
churches in the coastal regions are reporting more deaths as news
trickles in from smaller and more remote villages and areas.
In Indonesia , where more than 4,400 people are believed to have
died, ACT members Yayasan Tanggul Benkana (YTB), Yakkum Emergency
Unit/CD Bethesda (YEU) and Church World Service (CWS) are
co-ordinating their response to the emergency. CWS will conduct a
rapid assessment mission to Aceh this week, working with a team
from YEU. YTB reports that figures received from Aceh province puts
those displaced at some 150,000 people. YEU will also be sending an
assessment team to North Sumatra.
Note: More information on ACT and its work in this and other areas
is available at http://act-intl.org/act_main_title.html