HOTLINE - week of September 18, 2006

Nearly a year since the Southern Asian earthquake of October 2005 ravaged Pakistan's North West Frontier Province and Pakistani-controlled Azad Kashmir, CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan staff and partners are continuing to assist vulnerable families in the region.

CWS, in partnership with international and local partners, has contributed a wide range of human resources and distributed material resources since the disaster hit, including over 25,000 tents.

CWS is developing basic rehabilitation activities needed for the resettlement of people affected by the quake, as well as currently assisting: 1) 4,000 families who are benefiting from the construction of toilets, septic tank facilities, and the planting of fruit trees; 2) villagers in 26 communities who are receiving environmental awareness training; 3) 1,785 men who are taking construction trade courses; 4) more than 1,000 people and their families who are receiving psychosocial support and another 16,000 people who are benefiting from the community intervention component of psychosocial support; 5) 26 villages who now have renovated or repaired water systems, providing an estimated 60,000 people with access to safe water; 6) an estimated 75,000 people, including students attending school, who are benefiting from the health and hygiene program; and 7) an estimated 100,000 people who are gaining access to community primary and secondary health services.

In the mountains of Pakistan, shelter is of paramount importance, especially with the harsh Himalayan winter on the horizon. The most vulnerable families, including single-headed households and families with infirm or elderly members, will need assistance to survive another winter without permanent shelter. CWS is helping some 5,000 of these families by providing shelter kits, which include one family-size tent, a ground sheet, a plastic sheet, two iron poles and a hammer, along with blankets. CWS will also be providing 5,000 food packages to the some of the most needy.

In addition, 1,000 widows are receiving livelihoods support through a CWS livestock development program. Three female sheep are being provided to each of the female-headed households as well as 100 rams total for breeding purposes. Basic animal health services are helping ensure the health of these valuable animals. For the next two years, the women will turn over two of the offspring to an animal bank. These will be distributed to an additional 500 families each year. The milk products, milk, cheese, and yogurt, will provide a small but reliable source of income, and can be used at home to help enrich family diets.

During the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, a million Lebanese fled the war zones to "safer" places in Lebanon. The majority of those who fled were Shia Muslims, many of whom received protection in Christian areas. CWS and partners in the region are continuing to respond to the needs of the displaced families.

"These people are my brothers and sisters. We are Lebanese, regardless of whether we are Christian or Shia Muslim," says Eli Ajouz, regional coordinator for CWS partner the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Lebanon.

CWS is providing food, water, bedding, essential health supplies, and other necessities through long-time partners MECC and International Orthodox Charities (IOCC). More information on the CWS response.

Church World Service was one of 17 national faith-based organizations recognized for its work at a 5th anniversary observance of September 11, 2001. The service was held at St. Paul's Chapel at Ground Zero in New York City. Linda Reed Brown, Associate Director for CWS Domestic Emergency Response, and Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison Joann Hale represented CWS. The interfaith gathering included Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, and Christians. New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) and the United Church of Christ co-hosted a dinner following the service. NYDIS is the long-term recovery organization supported by CWS and is still distributing approximately $100,000 per month in care for families suffering health effects from contaminated air following the disaster.

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.

Back to top