Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell has thanked Presbyterians for responding so well to the appeal he launched in July 2004 for the Darfur region of Sudan.
So far a massive £212,000 has been raised which includes £12,000 contributed by delegates at the recent 'Get a Life' conference in Coleraine as well as £3,200 contributed by the audience at the launch of the new Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook at the Waterfront Hall last month.
As the money has come in, the Presbyterian Church has distributed it equally to Tearfund and Christian Aid who are both deeply involved in tackling this disaster. In Darfur the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is still reporting attacks on villages where thousands of people have been killed and more than one million have been forced to flee from their homes. Relief agencies are continuing to face difficulties in getting aid to the refugees. The rains are beginning to ease up but heavy downpours are still making transport problematic, and general security is a persistent threat.
The money that has been raised is being used in a variety of ways. Christian Aid reports that health and sanitation in the camps is a high priority as overcrowding increases the likelihood of diseases, including Hepatitis E, which can be fatal if not contained. A massive operation is also underway to dig 100 latrines a week, which provides sanitation for 2,500 people. So far agencies have managed to provide 50,000 people with plastic sheeting for shelters, basic survival kits, soap and metal cans for carrying water. The aim is that 500,000 will eventually receive all of these items. Other work being carried out includes building pumps to supply clean water to camps and providing temporary schools as well.
"The generosity of Presbyterians to those in need is just amazing," said the Moderator. "Their giving is making a massive difference to the daily lives of many people and I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this fantastic amount which Tearfund and Christian Aid are already using to great effect."
Issued by Sarah Harding, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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