Kenyan Food Crisis 'Absolutely Catastrophic'

The food shortage caused by a severe drought in Kenya is rapidly reaching a crisis stage. The World Food Program has warned of "absolutely catastrophic" consequences if aid is not delivered to some areas in the next few days. Altogether, more than 3.5 million people are at risk. Action by Churches Together has issued an appeal for $2.4 million to the ACT network to support the efforts of several ACT partners that are actively and urgently working in Kenya to deliver food and other aid to famine survivors - including a $754,000 appeal for Church World Service.

Kirsten Engeback of Norwegian Church Aid, another ACT partner active in Kenya, reports that in some parts of the country "there is nothing to eat whatsoever - for humans or livestock." She urges the international community to wake up to the reality of this growing crisis before it is too late. (Additional news updates and stories on the Kenyan crisis are posted on www.weekofcompassion.org).

Week of Compassion has rushed an initial grant of $12,000 in support of the CWS part of the ACT appeal and another $6000 in support of other ACT partners. WOC is now preparing additional responses as the crisis in Kenya worsens. Designated gifts are welcomed and needed and can be made online at www.weekofcompassion.org or sent to Week of Compassion, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indpls, IN 46206.

Congregational Map Update

For congregations using the WOC Map/Poster, please visit the WOC website for a summary of this week's responses as well as those for all of 2006. The WOC office would like very much to hear from you as to how you are using the Map/Poster and how it is being received in your congregation.
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Foods Resource Bank - Our Partners

Another excellent way Week of Compassion and Disciples are responding to hunger and poverty in the world is through our partnership with the Foods Resource Bank. In 2005, WOC provided twenty-four $1000 grants to Disciples congregations and farmers who were participating in local FRB growing projects. The harvest return from those 24 projects totaled $216,000, a good portion of which was put in the WOC account in FRB and from which we Disciples are now supporting some 25 food production projects in more than 20 countries. You will find these projects listed on the WOC Map/Poster page of the WOC website, along with all the disaster and development responses WOC has made this year.

We are now looking for Disciples farmers and congregations to participate in 2006 local growing projects. Both row crop and cattle farmers are needed. If interested, please email Johnny Wray at johnnywray@ecunet.org.

Wildfires Threaten Southwest

Lingering drought and unusually warm temperatures continue to plague Oklahoma, Texas and other southwestern U.S. states and greatly increase the number and intensity of wildfires. In recent days, fires destroyed much of the small southwest Oklahoma community of Loco and altogether burned some 60 homes, including the homes of two members of First Christian Church in Duncan. Week of Compassion has responded with a grant to FCC to assist the families and continues to support a larger Church World Service wildfire appeal.
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