LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF TSUNAMI DELEGATION RETURNS HOME; MUCH WORK REMAINS
Baltimore, October 27, 2005 — A delegation to tsunami-affected areas in India and Indonesia, led by Lutheran World Relief president Kathryn Wolford, returned home with a deep, first-hand understanding of the long-term efforts needed to help communities recover from last year’s disaster. Lutheran World Relief, which raised an unprecedented $18.4 million for tsunami recovery efforts, has pledged to work in the affected areas for up to ten years.
“Our partners are doing incredible work,” Wolford said. “The tsunami highlighted the need for increased investment and some important opportunities for change. We hope that the momentum will continue beyond the immediate recovery and reconstruction, and will look toward strengthening communities across the affected region – improving their standard of living, rekindling hope and helping them be better prepared for the next disaster.”
The delegation, which included Kirk Betts, vice chair of the LWR Board; Tim Schwan, vice president, church and community engagement, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; Karin Hope, legislative director, Office of Rep. Jim Ramstad, MN (India only); and Lisa B. Bonds, LWR vice president for external relations, visited affected communities in the area of Pondicherry, along the coast of South India, and the Indonesian communities of Banda Aceh at the northern tip of the island of Sumatra, and Meulaboh. In India, the delegation was accompanied by Prahbat Failbus, LWR regional representative for Asia, and Troty Kiran, tsunami program manager. In Indonesia, the group was accompanied by Barbara Wetsig, LWR associate director for Asia, Elhadi Abdalla, LWR country representative for Indonesia, and office assistant Achmad Affandi Nst.
The delegation visited projects focusing on the restoration of livelihoods, such as farming and small businesses; water and sanitation; health care; housing reconstruction; and programs to address the trauma caused by the tsunami. They spoke with staff of LWR partner organizations who are implementing the programs, as well as with the villagers whose lives are being changed by them.
“It was wonderful to see first-hand the long-term commitment and effective partnerships Lutheran World Relief has made to bring hope to people who have lost so much,” said Karin Hope of Congressman Ramstad’s office.
Kirk Betts of the LWR board seconded her sentiments. “One is at loss for words to describe the extent of the devastation caused by the tsunami,” he said. “At the same time, one listens in admiration as survivors talk about their loss of families, homes, land, and livelihoods, and then express their gratitude for the opportunity that LWR is giving them to rebuild their lives and the lives of others. It will take a long time to rebuild their communities and to restore the rhythm of the lives. The wisdom of LWR’s early commitment to accompany them for the long haul is so very apparent after one has walked with these people.”
Much of LWR’s work in the tsunami-affected areas would not have been possible without the generosity of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and individual Thrivent members. Nearly half of the $18.4 million raised – 45% – came from an initial $1 million grant from Thrivent, a $2.5 million matching grant for gifts from individual members, and $4.8 million from members themselves.
“The work that faces LWR and its partners in areas affected by the tsunami is overwhelming and complicated,” said Thrivent’s Tim Schwan. “Although I knew it before this trip, it is even more clear to me now that LWR succeeds at what it does thanks, in part, to the passionate and skilled people who work for LWR and its partners. My visit to LWR projects in India and Indonesia has made me an even greater advocate for LWR. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the many Thrivent members who offered financial support to LWR following the tsunami can rest assured that their investment is being put to great use.”
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.
