LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF PRESIDENT, KATHRYN WOLFORD, REPORTS ON MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BUSH, SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AND USAID ADMINISTRATOR ANDREW NATSIOS
Baltimore, January 10, 2005 - Kathryn Wolford, President of Lutheran World Relief, joined twenty-three NGO leaders in a meeting and briefing on relief and development efforts related to the South Asia tsunami with President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios.“
One of the most exciting things about the meeting was that everyone involved agreed on a few key things we consider critical to our work,” commented Wolford. “First that we all must commit ourselves to long-term efforts in the areas affected by the tsunami. Second, that money given by governments, corporations and individuals to tsunami efforts shouldn’t come at the expense of other needs and other gifts. And, third, that we cannot and must not forget the many other disasters and conflicts occurring around the world.”
President Bush called the meeting to thank NGOs and USAID employees for their hard work in response to the South Asia tsunami. He stated, “We just finished meeting with a group of representatives and heads of non-governmental organizations, NGOs, all of which are providing love and compassion and help. After that meeting I must tell you my spirits were raised even higher than they were walking into the meeting. There is no question in my mind that the NGOs of America provide such vital, vital help in times of disaster.”
President Bush reiterated the NGO leaders’ concerns that American citizens, corporations and other governments continue to give their financial support to work on other disasters and conflicts and that other parts of the world not be forgotten when he said, “But I do want to remind our fellow citizens, as you donate money to the tsunami relief effort, make sure you continue to contribute to NGOs, because those groups -- we still have problems in other parts of our country and other parts of the world. It is essential that your contribution not replace the ongoing contributions you're making to help the NGOs of America. You should view the tsunami relief effort as extra help, to help solve the problem, so that we don't short-change the compassionate needs -- the needs for compassion elsewhere in our country and the world.”
In the private meeting between the NGO leaders, President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios, Wolford stressed what she and LWR see as critical to those affected by the tsunamis. She stated, “By the time most of us were waking up on December 26th, LWR’s partners in India and other affected areas had let us know that they were already responding to the immediate needs of people affected by the tsunamis. We will continue our relief efforts in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India, but, we are also acutely aware of and already working on what will be our focus for the long-term: shelter, more permanent housing, livelihoods and psycho-social support.”
Wolford also asked the Bush Administration and other NGO leaders to continue publicizing urgent needs in places such as Sudan.
President Bush concluded his remarks by highlighting the legislation he will sign that will allow taxpayers to deduct this month’s contribution for tsunami relief from their 2004 tax returns.
WAVE OF GIVING™, LWR’s appeal to give people a trusted outlet for the gifts of money they have been told is most urgently needed in South Asia has already raised $4.7 million. WAVE OF GIVING was created to raise $5 - $10 million dollars for our short- and long-term efforts to help rebuild lives and livelihoods in South Asia.
WAVE OF GIVING gained critical momentum when it received a grant of $1 million from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The top-rated financial services organization sent an initial $1 million in late December while also creating a $2 million matching grant for its 2.8 million members. WAVE OF GIVING gained further momentum with endorsements from both of the country’s Lutheran governing bodies, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). On January 5th, the Chicago-based ELCA sent $100,000 to support their endorsement of LWR’s WAVE OF GIVING and committed to providing up to 50 percent of its International Disaster Response income designated for tsunami disaster relief to LWR.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
For more information contact Emily Sollie at esollie@lwr.org or 410-230-2802.
