Lutherans: Prayer, Financial Support Most Vital for Tsunami Relief

Nearly three month after the catastrophic tsunami in the Indian Ocean, which devastated several coastal countries in the South East Asia region and claimed 200,000 lives, aid agencies have been gearing up reconstructing work to enable survivors to start a new life. In evaluation of the relief work done so far, Lutherans involved in the tsunami aid have realised that prayer and contributing money remain the best methods to support recovery operations.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) is one of the major contributors to tsunami relief work in the worst hit country Indonesia. Rosella Kameo, an ELCA missionary currently helping Indonesia said, "Sending money to a disaster relief organisation seems so impersonal...although it may sound impersonal, the very best way to help tsunami [survivors] is to send a financial donation to a reliable relief agency."

As time passes by the tsunami relief will no longer hit the headlines, however, the continued support for the ongoing reconstruction work should never be neglected. This has been stressed by numerous aid agencies.

"Our goal is long-term sustainable development," said Kameo.

Kameo requested for prayers from worldwide Lutherans who are not able to help at the site of devastation. "Pray for the wisdom and guidance of those who use the funds you send," she suggested. "Study about the people, cultures and religions of the areas affected. Most importantly, continue to pray for those who have been traumatised and whose lives have been irreversibly changed by this overwhelming tragedy."

ELCA International Disaster Response have expressed its great appreciated of the ongoing efficient for cooperation. The Rev. Joseph Chu, program director for the Asia and Pacific desk, ELCA Division for Global Mission said, "We saw how Christian relief organisations are working together. They are very well organised and professional in their approach when working with survivors."

Rev Chu and other church leaders from around the world travelled together to Indonesia last month to learn about tsunami disaster response efforts from Christian relief agencies.

Action by Churches Together (ACT), a worldwide network of churches and related agencies specialised in relief work, organised the trip. It is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), in Geneva. The ELCA is a member of WCC and LWF.

The success of the Christian relief groups has given the church great confidence to continue donating funds to ACT and their partners, according to Rev Chu.

Through ELCA International Disaster Response, members of the church contributed more than $6 million to support recovery and rebuilding efforts in southern Asia, said Kathryn Sime, director for the ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal.

"We must offer prayer. I believe in the power of prayer, even though the people of Indonesia may not know who is praying for them," Rev Chu said. "I also think it is important to listen to what people in Indonesia are saying. Sometimes we, who are oceans apart, have ideas of what needs to be done. But the reality of local people is quite different, so we must listen."

"People [in Indonesia] do not allow the tsunami to destroy them forever. They are reclaiming life," said Rev Chu.

The disaster killed more than 126,000 people in the worst hit province Aceh, Indonesia and left 400,000 homeless. Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab, who is overseeing relief operations, told the press last week that the government would prevent foreign aid groups not working on reconstruction projects from working in Aceh after 26th March.

However, yesterday the government announced the extension, saying it was because of delays in finishing a long-term reconstruction plan for Aceh. Worldwide relief groups all welcomed the departure delay.