CWS Issues $20 Million Appeal for Pakistan Quake Recovery

Thursday, May 4, A.D. 2006

To support a signficant long-term rehabilitation program in earthquake-ravaged Pakistan, Church World Service issued a major appeal for $20 million earlier today. The October 8 quake killed some 80,000 people, injured more than 70,000 and displaced at least 3.3 million Pakistanis. CWS was one of the first organizations to provide disaster relief after the quake and is now focusing its attention on a long-term plan of rehabilitation and recovery.

Week of Compassion Director, Johnny Wray, has just returned from the region and was able to see firsthand the beginning phases of CWS's recovery work, which include construction of quake-resistant homes; restoration of livelihoods and job training; recovery of livestock; water and sanitation; health and hygiene; and psychosocial support.

WOC recently completed a $200,000 pledge to support CWS's initial relief appeal, which grew to $24.5 million. With strong support from international partners in the Action by Churches Together network, that appeal was subscribed. During its spring meeting next week in Mississippi, the WOC Committee will consider what response WOC/Disciples should make to this new rehabilitation appeal. Designated gifts are needed and can be made via the WOC website: www.weekofcompassion.org or sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indpls, IN 46206. For a personal account and photo relating to the Pakistan quake, click here.

For congregations using the WOC interactive map poster, disaster responses this week include the floods in Serbia, famine relief in Malawi, a Chernobyl children's project in Belarus, assistance to refugees on the Thai/Burma border, emergency children's medical shipment to Uruguay, and hurricane evacuee assistance in Arkansas. A complete list of WOC responses for the year can be found on the WOC website.

Because of the strong response to this project, WOC has ordered and received another 500 map/posters. Complimentary copies are available. Call Elaine at 317.713.2442 or email to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.