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THE LATEST NEWS
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US TORNADO DISASTER RESPONSE UPDATE ~
Joplin, Missouri / Tuscaloosa, Alabama / and North Carolina
The Presbytery of Charlotte’s Global/National Missions and Disaster Response Team is working closely with Presbyterian churches and PDA (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) to provide opportunity for mission trips both being scheduled by your own congregations and/or Presbytery sponsored mission trips. Read more about it!
Debbie Wilkinson, Coordinator for Mission, Justice & Outreach
980-207-5217 or Email: debbie.wilkinson@presbyorcharlotte.org
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GULF OF MEXICO - Oil Spill
The oil spill and its effect on the local economy has the potential of impacting the very same people who are only just recovering from Hurricane Katrina which occurred almost five years ago. Read more in this situation report...
The Gulf Oil Disaster is indeed a time for action on the part of government, corporations, nonprofits and volunteers. But it also begs for a religious response of contemplation, prayer and calls for environmental and economic justice. North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light has collected a list of resources, including events, prayers, and religious news & opinion. Explore the Resources, and check back with this link as the list is regularly updated. |
LOUISIANA - Hurricane Katrina Recovery
August 29, 2010 represents the 5-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast. It was and still is very encouraging to see so many responding to this huge disaster. Consider returning to New Orleans area, or if you haven't gone yet, make this your first trip! Visit projecthomecoming.net to see how you can still play an important role in bringing home many displaced individuals and families. |
| International |
ISOH / IMPACT is one of the agencies/ministries that we partnered with for Haiti response.
CLICK HERE to find out more about opportunities for Horn of Africa response. Questions? Conact Debbie Wilinson at 980-207-5217 or debbie.wilkinson@presbyofcharlotte.org |
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PDA RESPONSE TO FAMINE IN
SOMALIA & HORN OF AFRICA ~
The major famine in Somalia and other parts of the Horn of Africa has become a significant humanitarian crisis. The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) have declared famine in five areas in Somalia. Although many organizations are working aggressively in the southern regions of Somalia, with access restrictions and difficulties in scaling‐up emergency assistance programs, famine could spread across all regions of the south in the coming four to six weeks.
The number of people in need of assistance has risen to 12.4 million. About 29,000 children have died from the famine, and thousands more are at risk.
An unprecedented number of Somalis are taking huge risks every day, walking hundreds of miles and crossing borders into neighboring countries hoping to reach the safety of refugee camps and feeding centers. The Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya —the world’s largest refugee camp—has exceeded its capacity. The camp, originally built to hold 90,000 refugees, is now holding more than 420,000 refugees.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responding to this crisis in cooperation with members of ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together). ACT members with experience and partnerships in the area are working to help meet basic humanitarian needs of food, water and sanitation, and medical care for people in the camp and in host communities in both Kenya and Somalia. Special therapeutic feeding and nutrition is being provided to children under the age of five. PDA has provided $200,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds towards relief efforts in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
You can help respond to this critical need by standing in the GAP for affected families.
GIVE. Share your financial blessings. Make a gift online, through your local Presbyterian congregation, or from your cell phone: text PDACARES to 20222.
ACT. Stay informed and share information about the need with others. Use some of the prayers and worship resources found on the Horn of Africa response index to help lift up the need.
PRAY. Our best response is prayer. Please pray for families struggling to survive the harsh conditions of this famine and for those who lost loved ones due to this crisis. Pray for those responding to the disaster, and for those whose lives are linked to both the disaster survivors and the workers who minister to them.
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PAKISTAN ~ Torrential Rains & Flooding
From PCUSA - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
They’re seeking dry ground. Let’s help them find hope.
The people of Pakistan have suffered numerous natural and human-caused disasters over the past several years. Presbyterians have been in ministry there since before the nation of Pakistan was formed. We stand with them today in their time of need. The recent floods have brought record-breaking destruction to the country, with more than 1,400 people dead and more than 1.5 million displaced. You can make a difference in bringing God’s healing to a nation torn by devastation.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and working with our ecumenical partners to help meet emergency needs – providing food packages, shelter material, and non-food essentials. Emergency health services are also being provided.
How Can We Respond?
Give – Give to support the relief and recovery efforts through PDA. Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account:
DR000038 - Pakistan.
Make a donation by calling 1-800-728-7228
Act - Congregations and individuals can put together hygiene kits and baby kits to be distributed through Church World Service. List of items needed.
Pray - Join with others in lifting up the people of Pakistan and those seeking to provide aid in this critical time. As the eyes of the world turn to Pakistan, let us join our hearts in prayer:
God of compassion, please watch over the people of Pakistan, and weave out of these terrible events wonders of goodness and grace. Surround those who have been affected by tragedy with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted; guide us as a church to find ways of providing assistance that heals and gives hope. Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers we all suffer. Through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with you. Amen.
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STOP HUNGER NOW ~ HELP SAVE LIVES IN PAKISTAN
The recent floods in Pakistan have caused 1600 deaths and affected over 12 million people. Unlike cataclysmic disasters like earthquakes, it attracts less attention. The 2005 Pakistan earthquake killed 80,000 and affected 2 million in a 29,000 square km area. However, this flood is likely to affect more people in a larger area as the rains continue and the flood waters reaches the lower plains further South.
The aftermath of this disaster could potentially result in water borne diseases like cholera, hepatitis, typhoid and acute gastroenteritis due to the contamination of the drinking supplies. Food shortages in a fragile economy dependent on foreign aid could snowball into social unrest.
The extensive devastation of the Pakistan flood demands urgent relief. Stop Hunger Now is responding to the crisis by sending both food and disaster relief funds to our partners already on the ground in Pakistan.
Please consider a donation today to help Stop Hunger Now raise $25,000 to provide aid to our partners and the people of Pakistan. Although this amount is considerable, the need for relief in Pakistan is far greater. Please join in our efforts to respond to the life threatening crisis in Pakistan and Stop Hunger Now’s ongoing work in disaster and hunger relief.
We need your help today. Click icon to make a donation.
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HAITI ~ Earthquake Recovery
The Presbytery of Charlotte will maintain ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Find out the latest on how to help and what is happening in Haiti by visiting the extensive Haiti Disaster Relief webpages.
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