Lutheran World Relief Launches $5 Million “Wave of Giving” Effort
Aptly entitled the “Wave of Giving,” the campaign will not only focus on short-term assistance but also on long-term rebuilding efforts that include psychological counseling for survivors and repairing schools and community centers
Lutheran World Relief (LWR), the humanitarian relief arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) launched a vigorous campaign to raise at least $5 million for the victims of the worst natural disasters in modern history, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2004. Aptly entitled the “Wave of Giving,” the campaign will not only focus on short-term assistance but also on long-term rebuilding efforts that include psychological counseling for survivors and repairing schools and community centers.
“The need for relief is undeniable. The need for long-term assistance also is a necessity. Today, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) introduces a long-term rebuilding effort for the countries of South Asia,” the LWR statement read.
The Wave of Giving will center on six points of recovery:
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-- Build more elevated disaster shelters like the ones that survived this tsunami for shelter during high waters from cyclones, tsunamis and other storms.
-- Provide locally available building materials to rebuild homes and businesses.
-- Provide psychological counseling to survivors dealing with loss of loved ones.
-- Train community-based groups in disaster preparedness, early warning, evacuation and first aid.
-- Restore small businesses for fisherfolk, farmers and others.
-- Repair or rebuild clinics, schools and community centers.
According to the most recent reports on-scene, there are already over 120,000 confirmed dead in the 12 South Asian nations hit by the bullet-fast tsunamis. The World Health Organization notified the public that some 5 million residents are without the basics of life: food, water, medicine and shelter. According to the WHO, $40 million will be needed for immediate relief efforts; billions will be needed for long-term recovery.
The $5 million Wave of Giving campaign will no-doubt help determine the fate of thousands of survivors – many of whom have not eaten in 2 days.
LWR explained that donations to the Wave of Giving will enable Lutherans to “work together with trusted and proven organizations in the affected areas.”
“This money will stimulate local economies in dire need of the infusion of cash. It will be used to buy specific and much needed items, again purchased locally to create jobs and reduce transportation costs,” the LWR wrote. “Coordinated by Lutheran World Relief, Wave of Giving funds will be used as judiciously and monitored as closely as regular funds this top-ranked relief and development organization manages.”
To help LWR meet the $5 million goal, offer online at http://www.lwr.org, by phone at 1- 800-LWR-LWR-2, or by check or money order to: Lutheran World Relief, South Asia Tsunami, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298- 9832
