United Church Launches Emergency Appeal for Pakistan

TORONTO, Aug. 17 /CNW/ - The United Church of Canada announced today that it is launching an emergency appeal for donations designated for flood relief and reconstruction in Pakistan.

The United Church will receive donations to its Emergency Response Fund to be used by the ACT Alliance, a global network of 100 churches and church-related organizations that work together to provide humanitarian assistance and long-term development. ACT members in Pakistan are working diligently to deliver assistance including food, water, tents, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and emergency medical care.

Gary Kenny is The United Church of Canada's Program Coordinator for Emergency Response. He says the United Church has a solid history of working with its in-country partners and organizations like ACT to deliver aid to affected communities in a timely, efficient, and effective manner. Delivering aid to the affected communities is extremely difficult, because they are in mountainous, remote, and hard-to-reach regions. Nonetheless Kenny says he's confident that the initial emergency funds the United Church has sent - $65,000 from emergency relief funds and $75,000 through its membership in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank - has reached or will soon reach communities in need.

"Patience, ongoing consultation, and careful planning and monitoring are critical requirements in responding effectively to a humanitarian crisis as complex as that currently unfolding in Pakistan," says Kenny.

Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Church's Pakistan appeal either through their local congregations or directly to The United Church of Canada's national office: 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4. Cheques should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked "Pakistan Flood Relief." Online donations can also be made at www.united-church.ca/pakistan.

Additional background material related to the United Church's Pakistan appeal has been posted on The United Church of Canada's website (www.united-church.ca/pakistan). Please watch for updates as new information becomes available.

For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Mary-Frances Denis, Program Coordinator, Media and Public Relations, The United Church of Canada, Tel: [phone] ext. 2016, Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016, Cell: 416-400-7273, E-mail: [email protected]