Displaced Seek Shelter in Lebanese Churches

Wednesday, July 26, A.D. 2006

Earlier this week the first distribution of urgently needed relief parcels was made by the Middle East Council of Churches to people seeking shelter in Beirut, Lebanon. The MECC reports that some 100,000 people have sought refuge in churches, monasteries and other church-related properties of its member communions throughout the region. More than 600,000 people have been displaced in the aftermath of the crisis sparked two weeks ago by the capture of two Israeli soldiers by the militant group Hezbollah. At least 350 Lebanese civilians and 34 Israeli civilians have been killed by Israeli Defense Force bombing in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Haifa and other communities in northern Israel.

MECC's general secretary, Guirgis Saleh, reports that the situation remains critical in Lebanon, with the displacement of people from the southern towns and villages continuing. MECC continues to advocate for 'safe humanitarian corridors' for people fleeing the fighting.

Action by Churches Together (ACT) has released $55,000 from its Rapid Response Fund to support MECC's initial relief efforts and will be issuing a major appeal to its members in the next few days. Week of Compassion is receiving designated contributions for humanitarian relief and will be responding on behalf of the Disciples to the ACT appeal.

Massive Flooding Affects Southern China

With the news dominated by the conflict in the Middle East, little has been reported on the torrential flooding in southern China. Heavy rains from tropical storms have killed more than 200 people, destroyed more than 175,000 houses, forced more than 2 million people from their homes, and damaged more than 2 million acres of cropland.

ACT member in China (and long-time Disciples and Church World Service partner), the Amity Foundation, is working with its local partners to provide emergency assistance (i.e., food, drinking water, mosquito nets, tents, clothing and medicines) in the crisis phase. Amity is also developing long-term recovery plans and will be presenting a request to ACT this week. WOC will respond appropriately on behalf of the Disciples.

Storms Bring Suffering to St. Louis

Week of Compassion is in touch with the Gateway Area of the Christian Church in Mid-America and congregations and pastors in St. Louis about possible responses in the aftermath of the severe storms that struck the city last week. At one time more than 600,000 homes and businesses were without power in the midst of 100 degree temperatures. One particular concern is that local food banks across the city are reported to have lost significant amounts of food due to the power outages.

WOC Map

Please visit the website - www.weekofcompassion.org - for the updated list of disaster and development responses for those congregations using the WOC Map/Poster. Also, this week a number of new stories about tsunami recovery, Sudan/Darfur, the Africa drought and other humanitarian concerns have been posted on the "Stories" page.