HOTLINE - week of July 24, 2006

In response to the devastating October 2005, South Asian Earthquake, Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan and local partners have formally initiated a rehabilitation and recovery livelihood program that includes: 1) capacity building of earthquake-affected people through Construction Training Centres, 2) sustainable livelihood programs for widows, 3) creating a domestic animal resource network, and 4) establishing veterinary centers.

The three training centers, run with the help of CWS partner DOSTI, have been equipping quake survivors in areas vital to the reconstruction effort since January of this year. A total of 240 graduates have learned trades such as masonry and carpentry. Many are now employed in government or NGO-coordinated rebuilding, or spearheading construction efforts in their own communities.

Watch a video on CWS recovery efforts in S. Asia

"Tell them that we are tired of the... horrific forms of torture and the senseless killings," implored Baffour Amoa, chair of the West African Action network on Small Arms. "Tell them that our productive lands are lying bare... Tell them our children are being denied their childhood."

Speaking at the Interfaith Summit on Africa, Amoa was among a host of prominent African and U.S. religious leaders, advocates, and policymakers who convened last week to discuss some of the problems that plague Africa, work to strengthen interfaith ties, and work to express the concerns of Africans to U.S. policymakers.

The Summit, coordinated by CWS, raised issues, "experienced at a household level to a regional and international level," noted attendee Meg Findley of Washington, DC-based Chemonics. For more information from this groundbreaking event, including issue papers, please visit the Summit's webpage.

July 17 saw another earthquake hit the beleaguered Indonesian island of Java, not two months after a previous quake struck the area. Some 550 people were killed, the resulting tsunami destroyed many of the homes along the shore, and thousands displaced by the quake are still sheltering in public areas in fear of aftershocks or a bigger quake.

CWS Indonesia, with local partners, is responding by distributing mineral water and biscuits in Kebumen and Cilacap districts, Central Java. A CWS field kitchen is assisting by providing cooking supplies and food to support 50 households in Adipala village, Cilacap district, and another 200 households will be receiving food items such as instant noodles and baby biscuits; water and sanitation needs will be addressed as well. A needs assessment by CWS and partners will determine the full scope of the CWS response.

Read more on CWS response

Lebanon is experiencing a "catastrophic humanitarian crisis," says Guirgis I. Salek, general secretary of CWS partner the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), "and all efforts should be deployed by...churches and ecumenical councils and organizations worldwide to bring their support to ensure the basic requirements of the Lebanese population."

With casualties on all sides, innocent civilians are experiencing the brunt of the conflict between Israel and Hezbullah. Lebanon has seen its population uprooted by the violence--over 400,000 internally displaced people are taking refuge in schools and other public buildings--and is struggling to provide aid to its citizens. Many in northern Israel have also sought shelter from the attacks.

The U.N. reports that the situation in Gaza is also particularly dire, with poverty rates now standing at 75 percent.

CWS will be supporting MECC relief efforts, and is in contact with other sister agencies that work in the region to ascertain needs and goals. Displaced families are in desperate need of water, food, first aid, medicines, milk for infants, and other essentials. Initially, some 1,500 families in Saida, Mount Lebanon, Tripoli, Beirut, and Beqaa, Lebanon, will be receiving assistance through the MECC-coordinated response.

Read more on the Middle East Crisis

Your prayers and support - and your participation in CROP WALKS and the TOOLS & BLANKETS Program - make possible these and other life sustaining programs. For information on how to get involved, please call your Church World Service/CROP Regional Office toll-free at 1-888-CWS-CROP, that's 1-888-297-2767.

For information about free loan videos, please call 1-800-297-1516, ext. 338, or e-mail us at: videos@churchworldservice.org.

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