Emergency Disaster Fund issues $53,700 in grants.

Five grants issued by the Emergency Disaster Fund send assistance to Kenya following rioting and violence, along with grants to Bangladesh, the south-central US following storms, and continuing support for Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding projects. The Emergency Disaster Fund is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

An additional grant of $19,700 aids Kenyans following post-election violence, responding to an expanded Church World Service (CWS) appeal for displaced people. The funds continue support for the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is providing emergency food to 15,000 displaced people, as well as additional services, household items, blankets, and psycho-social counseling.

A grant of $15,000 continues support for a Brethren Disaster Ministries project in Minnesota following flooding. The project in Rushford, Minn., is repairing and rebuilding homes of flood survivors. The grant pays for volunteer travel, food, and housing expenses, as well as tools and equipment. Previous allocations to this project total $5,000.

A grant of $10,000 to CWS follows a devastating cyclone that struck Bangladesh. The funds will help assist 25,000 people with emergency food, clothing, temporary shelter, and the creation of job opportunities.

A grant of $7,000 responds to the numerous tornados and violent storms that swept through six states in the south-central US in early February. At least 55 people were killed, claiming more lives than any single disaster in the US since Hurricane Katrina. The funds will help CWS make material shipments, deploy staff, and give financial support for longterm recovery groups.

A grant of $2,000 responds to a CWS appeal following a previous massive storm system that brought heavy rain, flooding, and tornado activity to parts of Indiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi. The money will help pay for blankets, hygiene kits, and cleanup buckets, and will support longterm recovery groups.

Source: 02/13/2008 Newsline