Bolstered by a $146,000 gift from All Saints Church in Pasadena, California, Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) continues its response to the South Asia tsunami disaster with practical aid, including 1,000 temporary shelters for Sri Lanka.
The Pasadena parish gift was reported to ERD after Sunday services January 2 by All Saints' rector, the Rev. Ed Bacon. Additional giving to ERD is expected from further contributions through All Saints parish, said Brian Sellers-Peterson, western regional representative for ERD. The contribution is to date the largest received from among the many congregations and dioceses working across the Episcopal Church to support ERD’s response to the crisis, the agency reports.
In the first week of the crisis, ERD sent $250,000 in emergency funds to affected areas (see ENS report of December 30, 2004). These allocations are the beginning of ERD’s long-term response to assist in rebuilding hard-hit regions.
ERD has purchased 1,000 temporary shelters which are being sent to the Diocese of Colombo in the Church of Ceylon, Sri Lanka. The shelters are called ZeroFly and are approved by the World Health Organization. Along with being water-resistant, the material contains an insecticide that combats malaria and houseflies, said ERD staff member Daniel Conway.
This shipment is being made via air and is in direct response to the great need expressed by the Bishop of Colombo, the Rt. Rev. Duleep da Chickera. ERD staff has been in telephone communication with the bishop since the tragedy of December 26. Because shelter materials are not readily available in Sri Lanka, this significant need was identified by ERD.
Contributions may be forward to ERD on-line at http://www.er-d.org/, or by mail to: Episcopal Relief and Development, South Asia Relief Fund, P.O. Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.
