NewsAugust 25, 2010 — Crisis Response - Pakistan FloodsCanadian Government To Match Donations For Pakistan Relief! ERDO is responding to Pakistan's worsening flood crisis and the Canadian government has just announced that it will match 1:1 all donations by individuals to an eligible charity like ERDO between August 2 and September 12, 2010. Your donation to ERDO will immediately help the children and families of Pakistan and can have twice the impact because of the matched government funds. Since July 21st, 2010, widespread monsoon rains hit most parts of north west Pakistan, causing severe flooding in Khyber Paktunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab Provinces. These are the worst floods in 80 years in Pakistan. The loss of life now exceeds 1,600 people. The United Nations has estimated that approximately 20 million people have been affected by the flooding. Countless livestock have been destroyed and livelihoods and property washed away. Railways, roadways, and communication have been widely disrupted making initial relief efforts very difficult. ERDO Emergency Response ERDO is mobilizing with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) and also with a network of crisis response partners to provide these critically needed items:
Your help is urgently needed. Please pray for the victims of this crisis and for the relief workers. Pray also for Kelvin Honsinger, our Director of International Programs, who is leaving in September on behalf of ERDO and CFGB to monitor the care being offered and to determine additional needs and longer term programming. Here is how you can donate to ERDO's relief effort: 1. Website - Donate Now 2. Phone - Credit card donations can be made by calling 905-542-7400 during business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST) or toll free 1-800-779-7262 at any time. Please note that after business hours your call will be forwarded to an automated attendant where you can securely leave your donation information. 3. Cheque - payable to "ERDO - Pakistan Crisis Response". Mail to: ERDO, 2450 Milltower Court, Mississauga, ON, L5N 5Z6. Thank you for your compassionate response and for your prayers for the people of Pakistan in this very desperate place.
August 5, 2010 — Crisis Response - Pakistan FloodsSince July 21st, 2010, widespread monsoon rains hit most parts of north west Pakistan, causing severe flooding in Khyber Paktunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab Provinces. These are the worst floods in 80 years in Pakistan. The loss of life already surpasses 1,500 people. The United Nations has estimated that approximately 2.5 million people have been affected by the flooding (August 3rd, Reuters). Countless livestock have been destroyed and livelihoods and property washed away. Railways, roadways, and communication have been widely disrupted making initial relief efforts very difficult. In Sindh Province, home to Pakistan's biggest city and commercial hub Karachi, heavy rains are expected over the next four days and water levels are expected to rise to critical levels. ERDO Emergency Response ERDO is mobilizing with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) and also with a network of crisis response partners to provide these critically needed items:
Your help is urgently needed. Please pray for the victims of this crisis and for the relief workers. Here is how you can donate to ERDO's relief effort: 1. Website - Donate now 2. Phone - Credit card donations can be made by calling 905-542-7400 during business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST) or toll free 1-800-779-7262 at any time. Please note that after business hours your call will be forwarded to an automated attendant where you can securely leave your donation information. 3. Cheque - payable to "ERDO - Pakistan Crisis Response". Mail to: ERDO, 2450 Milltower Court, Mississauga, ON, L5N 5Z6. July 16, 2010 — Crisis Response - Guatemala UpdateCRISIS: On May 27th, the Pacaya volcano erupted south of Guatemala City, ejecting debris and ash columns up to 1500 meters into the air. Pacaya spewed small stones, black sand and ash 4 to 7 inches deep throughout communities northwest of the volcano, including Guatemala City. As people struggled to clear the ash and keep drainage systems open the eruption of the volcano was followed by tropical storm Agatha and torrential rain. On May 29th, tropical storm, Agatha wreaked havoc in Guatemala. Torrential rainstorms caused landslides, sink holes, mudslides and swollen rivers throughout the country. The resulting flooding has forced approximately 122,000 residents to flee their homes. As a result of the number of people displaced, an estimated death toll of 172, an estimated 80,000 reported injured and many reports of family members missing, Guatemalan officials have declared a state of emergency in Guatemala. We are thankful to report that the staff and students of the WCVTC (William Cornelius Vocational Training Centre) are all safe. The school is basically undamaged despite the tonnes of ash and rain that fell and after much clean up (clearing blocked drainage pipes and shovelling ash from the roof) classes have resumed. Many families in the most affected areas have lost everything. There is desperate need for food, clean water, medicines and basic relief items such as blankets, toiletries, mosquito nets and basic staple foods. Many of our CCP families have been affected. RESPONSE: Ruth and Hector Aragon are our CCP Directors in Guatemala and work closely with the local Assemblies of God. They have responded to many crisis situations in Guatemala in partnership with ERDO and have organized the on ground response on ERDO's behalf. Three of our CCP schools are currently being used as temporary shelters for families who have lost everything. We are responding, in partnership with the local Assemblies of God Churches and Emergency Committee in the areas most affected by the flooding and volcanic ash in the south, near the Pacaya Volcano where lava fell, a community where we have a CCP school located under a bridge on a ravine (many homes were lost in landslides) and in two other locations where CCP schools have been affected and families displaced. 125 families have benefited directly from ERDO/PAOC response through Hector and team and and additional 1289 families have benefited through our partnership with the Local Assemblies of God teams. Families have received: Clothing, bed sheets and shoes Relief Packets (Beans, sugar, rice, tortilla pre-mixed flour, oil, coffee, toilet paper & more) Some basic building supplies for house repairs A team from Canada helped in the relief effort as they arrived shortly after the crisis to help put a roof on a school porch. WAY FORWARD: The devastation continues to affect the lives of thousands of families. Many will not be able to salvage their homes and rebuilding will be difficult for them. Increased sponsorship of children in affected areas will ensure that despite upheaval at home, they will be able to remain in school. On-going donations to Crisis Response will enable ERDO to help with the rebuilding process for many families who've lost everything... June 7, 2010 — Crisis Response - GuatemalaOn May 27th, the Pacaya volcano erupted south of Guatemala City, ejecting debris and ash columns up to 1500 meters into the air. Pacaya spewed small stones, black sand and ash 4 to 7 inches deep throughout communities northwest of the volcano, including Guatemala City. As people struggled to clear the ash and keep drainage systems open the eruption of the volcano was followed by tropical storm Agatha and torrential rain. On May 29th, tropical storm, Agatha wreaked havoc in Guatemala. Torrential rainstorms caused landslides, sink holes, mudslides and swollen rivers throughout the country. The resulting flooding has forced approximately 122,000 residents to flee their homes. As a result of the number of people displaced, an estimated death toll of 172, an estimated 80,000 reported injured and many reports of family members missing, Guatemalan officials have declared a state of emergency in Guatemala. We are thankful to report that PAOC global workers Hector and Ruth Aragon and family are safe. Ruth and Hector are already assessing how best to help those in desperate need and have reported that one of our CCP schools is being used as a shelter. We are also thankful to report that the staff and students of the WCVTC (William Cornelius Vocational Training Centre) are also safe. The school is basically undamaged despite the tonnes of ash and rain that have fallen in the past week, and workers continue to clear blocked drainage pipes and shovel ash from the roof. ERDO Emergency Response Many families have lost everything. There is desperate need for food, clean water, medicines and basic relief items such as blankets, toiletries, mosquito nets and basic staple foods. ERDO needs your help to respond to families and children who are suffering. The next few days are critical as ERDO determines how best to respond. Please Pray 1. For our ChildCARE Plus sponsored children in Guatemala. 2. For wisdom and favour as we work together with missionaries and partners to help the suffering 3. For the many families who are searching for or have lost loved ones. Donate NOW to ERDO to help meet urgent needs 1. Website - www.erdo.ca Select donation button and then follow instructions for "Guatemala Crisis Response" 2. Phone - Credit card donations can be made by calling 905-542-7400 during business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST) or toll free 1-800-779-7262 at any time. Please note that after business hours your call will be forwarded to an automated attendant where you can securely leave your donation information. 3. Cheque - payable to "ERDO - Guatemala Crisis Response". Mail to: ERDO, 2450 Milltower Court, Mississauga, ON, L5N 5Z6. January 27, 2010 — Crisis Response: Haiti EarthquakeEvery dollar donated to ERDO by February 12, 2010 for Haiti Earthquake victims will qualify for the matching dollars announced by the Canadian government. A magnitude - 7.0 earthquake devastated the capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The death toll is currently confirmed at 150,000 and many thousands are still missing. There is an estimated 250,000 people injured and 1.5 million left homeless. The area affected by the quake continues to experience severe aftershocks daily, with over 50 recorded to date. ERDO (Emergency Relief and Development Oversees) is responding as the humanitarian agency of the PAOC with practical help. The PAOC's Ministry Centre is caring for people in their community with nurses from local churches treating people in clinic near them. PAOC Missionaries Louise and Michel Charbonneau are meeting with local community committees assessing how to repair and rebuild. ERDO in partnership with Canadian Churches in Action is providing water, sanitation and shelter to 30,000 people who have fled to outlying areas in tent cities. As well ERDO will be involved in a major Food Aid response meeting immediate hunger needs and longer term agricultural programs, through our partnership in Canadian Food Grains Bank. There is still a critical need for funding to help ERDO respond to basic human needs and help with reconstruction in the months to come. Please send your donation to ERDO's "Haiti Earthquake Response"There is still a critical need for funding to help ERDO respond to basic human needs and help with recovery and reconstruction in the months to come. Please send your donation to ERDO's "Haiti Earthquake Response" Help ERDO do good by donating today. Phone: 905.542.7400 Mail: (please make cheques payable to ERDO) ERDO August 1, 2009 — Leadership AnnouncementWe are pleased to announce the appointment of David Adcock as Chief Executive Officer of ERDO effective October 1, 2009. Current Executive Director Kelvin Honsinger will assume the role of Director of International Programs. We are excited to see the growth in our team both in our leadership and capacity to do good. As an ordained minister with the PAOC, David brings over 13 years of experience working in both mission and development work. His passion for caring for those who are lost and disadvantaged will be a blessing to ERDO and those we serve each and every day. David's recent experience as Chief Operating Officer at Yonge Street Mission in Toronto will compliment Kelvin's international presence as they partner together to establish real change in communities of need. Both David's and Kelvin's leadership capabilities will add strength and experience to ERDO's work on behalf of PAOC International Missions, both on the Canadian scene and with our diverse projects and partners around the world. February 25, 2009 — Growing ProjectsA gift today to the Myanmar (Burma) -Chin food crisis will assist ERDO in developing food security for families in need today. Not only will your gifts provide essential nutrients but also the resources and tools farmers need to develop their land. ERDO in partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) provides hunger relief for thousands of families every year. In 2008, ERDO was able to distribute food aid to many men, women and children in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Liberia, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This year marks a new beginning for ERDO's food relief projects. A six-year review of ERDO-managed farms has revealed that this was not the best use of our resources. The realities of higher costs, increased natural risks and volatile markets when matched with the practice of using cash donations to operate the farms for harvest value, has at times operated at a loss. In order to be the best possible stewards of all resources, ERDO will no longer manage our own farms. We will reinvest our efforts and our resources in projects which directly support the needs of hungry people. Our community food relief programs, in-school feeding programs and crisis response initiatives are providing life-changing relief to thousands every day. Our hunger relief program efforts are increasing and we are currently funding relief programs in the Congo DRC, India and Sri Lanka. In addition, volunteer grain donations from farmers and communities across Canada are providing substantial support to ERDO's CFGB account. And donations made directly to ERDO's account at the CFGB when matched through a 4:1 grant by CIDA for approved projects, will reach five times as many people in need. ERDO would like to sincerely thank the men and women who contributed to each of our farming projects. Thank you! Your support was influential in providing much needed food relief to many in need. Your help is needed more now than ever. Every dollar given to ERDO's CFGB account will be matched through a 4:1 grant by CIDA. Your gift has the potential to bless not one but five families in need. Find out more by visiting the CFGB online. December 4, 2008 — End Hunger FastOn World Food Day, October 16, thousands of Christians across Canada joined together in a day of fasting for change. The change they are seeking is a greater balance in a world where over 800 million people are still living with hunger. ERDO is one of the 15 Christian church agencies that make up the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). The CFGB has launched a program called Fast for Change. Together we invited people from all walks of life and areas in Canada to join with us to spend the time fasting and reflecting on the way we are all connected with each other and with those who are hungry. “Imagine if we all made small changes in our lives that reflect what Jesus taught about loving other people as we love ourselves. Imagine the impact those changes would have on the way we live in our society – how we might spend more time with each other celebrating God’s abundance as well as being open and available to the needs of others,” says James Kornelsen, Public Engagement Coordinator at Canadian Foodgrains Bank. On October 16th, 2008 thousands gathered around their tables to spend time in collective prayer. Participating in the fast were many of the leaders of the denominations and agencies represented by Canadian Foodgrains Bank, including Don Peters, Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee and chairperson of the board of directors of the Foodgrains Bank. “We want to look at the day of fasting as an act of solidarity with the millions of people who can't choose to fast,” says Peters. “Let's use it as a day to harness our passion and our energy to ensure that those millions become fewer.” For more information on this campaign visit http://www.endhungerfast.ca/ . For information on what ERDO’s doing to help those who are hungry visit ‘Food Relief’. November 10, 2008 — Thousands Flee as Violence Sweeps Eastern CongoWeeks of violence and terror have left thousands of men, women and children homeless, hungry, frightened and sick from malnutrition, dehydration and outbreaks of cholera. Since August 28, members of Laurent Nkunda’s rebel militia have been fighting with government soldiers and supporters outside the provincial capital of Goma. The violence has come within miles of refugee camps where families have lived during 12 years of war between the rebels and the Congo government – war fuelled by ethnic hatred left over from the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda. Families in the refugee camps are leaving to find shelter in Uganda and in the dense forests of Congo’s countryside. They do not want to experience again the horrors they will struggle the rest of their lives to forget: village raids, beatings, mass-execution murders, gang rape of their women and little girls. Each day in hospitals like Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, Congo, hundreds of women arrive bleeding and bent over after being mutilated in gang rapes by soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Those who make it to the hospitals are only a small portion of the hundreds of thousands of women and girls who have been taken as sexual slaves as a tactic of war. Some of the girls are as young as three years old. ERDO is bringing food and clothing, clean water and medical attention to the refugees and victims of this latest outbreak of violence. The people have nothing and they are terrified for their lives. They mourn the loss of brothers and fathers, mothers and sisters. We have a close partnership with Panzi Hospital and we are helping them access the supplies they need to treat and heal women who have been so violently abused. Please see how you can help in this urgent crisis. October 29, 2008 — Survivors of Cyclone Nargis Rebuild LivesThis past May, Cyclone Nargis pounded the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar – also known as Burma. It was the worst natural disaster to hit the country in recent history, paralleling the fury and impact of the infamous 2004 Tsunami. Over 150,000 people died in Cyclone Nargis. Thousands of livestock also perished. They were a key source of income and livelihood for many in Myanmar. An enormous portion of the Irrawaddy Delta – known as the country’s “rice bowl” – likewise experienced devastation. Fields of agricultural land were flooded by the natural disaster. The hard work of many of the country’s poorest people was gone in an instant. With crops destroyed, people worry about the coming year. Small plot farmers and their families wonder how they’ll make a living and where they’ll get food to eat. Rice is a staple in the impoverished country. Experts say the devastation from Cyclone Nargis will severely affect the country’s food supply for the next few years. Those already struggling to obtain food will find it even more difficult in the coming months. The most dramatic part of the crisis is over, but the survivors still have a difficult journey to recovery. They have immediate needs for long-term housing, food, safe drinking water, clothes, employment and emotional and spiritual counseling. ERDO is working in Myanmar to bring practical support, Christ’s care and love. Find out how you can help. |
|
