Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), which has received more than $2.1 million in donations to date, furthers its relief efforts in South Asia as millions of people remain homeless in countries including Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The endowment committee of Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel, California, has donated $50,000 for tsunami relief. The parish plans to partner with ERD to help communities recover in South Asia over the many years it will take to rebuild, recognizing that the situation demands long-term rehabilitation and development.

The Very Rev. Peter D. Eaton, dean of St. John's Cathedral in Denver, announced this week that collections from his congregation had topped $60,000. Episcopal parishes in Santa Barbara, California, have raised more than $80,000 and a donation of more than $50,000 is expected from St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, Washington.

In the Diocese of Minnesota, more than $43,000 has been raised following Bishop James Jelinek’s appeal to congregations to receive special offerings for tsunami relief efforts on Sundays in January. Fifteen congregations sent donation checks following services on January 16. Trinity Episcopal Church, Excelsior, led the effort and collected $1,635, bringing its total to nearly $8,000.

A Friday night Bluegrass concert series at St. George's Episcopal Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, started as an outreach to the local community. In the aftermath of the tsunami disaster, it has turned into an international outreach effort. A number of artists who have performed at St. George’s -- the Blue Drifters, Becky Schlegel, the Platte River Boys, Jack Norton and the Mullet River Boys, and Monroe Crossing -- are volunteering their time and talent at a special concert on Saturday, February 5, to benefit tsunami relief efforts by ERD. The concert begins at 6 p.m., and a donation of $10 is suggested.
 
The musicians have also joined to make a compact disc recording, which will be released at the benefit concert. Proceeds from CD sales will also go to tsunami relief provided by the American Refugee Committee.

ERD staff is in South Asia beginning a month-long assessment in partnership with local dioceses to evaluate the affected areas. The objective of the trip -- which includes visits to Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands -- is to plan a long-term rehabilitation and development program to help rebuild devastated communities.
 
Details of ERD's latest emergency work in India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia follows:
 
India

ERD is providing medicine boxes to the Church of South India for distribution to families in need of immediate medical assistance in Kerala and Tamilnadu. The boxes contain supplies including antibiotics, first aid products, and vitamin supplements. Medicine boxes are being supplied to relief centers set up by the Church of South India on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ERD has provided critical aid such as food, water, and vaccinations to affected communities served by the Church of North India and the Church of South India.

Sri Lanka

An additional 400 Zero-Fly temporary shelters and 200-single family tents will help displaced families in Sri Lanka. ERD provided an initial 1,000 shelters to the Diocese of Colombo in the Church of Ceylon. Through an ecumenical partner, ERD is supplying family shelter kits to people in the community of Kalakoda. ERD has also provided basic supplies such as food and health kits in the country.

Indonesia

ERD has partnered with an ecumenical organization and local Indonesia groups, including YAKKUM Emergency Unit, to identify displaced persons and provide assistance such as medical care and food. ERD's support will help both relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts in areas such as the western coastline of the Aceh province, which bore the brunt of the earthquake and waves, and isolated islands including Nias where epidemics such as malaria could threaten survivors. ERD continues its work supplying food and blankets in affected communities.

To support families devastated by the earthquake and tsunamis in South Asia, donate to the South Asia Relief Fund at www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, South Asia Relief Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.

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ERD supports long-term rehabilitation program in Iraq
 
Episcopal Relief and Development is supporting rebuilding efforts of the St. George's Memorial Church in Baghdad, Iraq. ERD is providing St. George's with a generator and anti-truck bomb barriers. The generator and barriers will enable the church to continue its outreach and services in spite of Baghdad's electricity shortage and delicate security situation.

"We are extremely grateful for the assistance ... This first step in rebuilding what was lost is critical," said Ryan Carlson, a coordinator for the project. "You have provided us with relief and inspiration to do as much as we can ... There is a sense of hope."

Established in 1936, St. George's Baghdad is the only Anglican Church in Iraq. It was closed for 10 years, during which time looters ransacked the church, breaking windows and even removing the organ. Not a pew remained.

St. George's was restored and reopened after the war. Since then, the church has established itself as an important center for the Iraqi Christian community and has the largest Protestant congregation in Iraq. The parish ministers to a predominantly poor congregation of approximately 200 adults and 100 children, many of whom are widows and orphans. The ministers tend to the spiritual and humanitarian needs of the broader community -- which includes both Christians and Muslims -- offering shelter, protection and help. The church has a Sunday School, provides a bus to take parishioners home after services, and is helping one of the parishioners, a young boy with epilepsy, seek medical treatment in Jordan.
 
ERD will continue working long-term with affected communities in Iraq.
 
To make a contribution, donate to the Iraqi Conflict Fund at www.er-d.org, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief and Development, Iraqi Conflict Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.

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ERD assists families in Costa Rica after severe floods

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance to people in the Limon province of Costa Rica after heavy rains flooded homes and businesses. The flooding has also damaged crops and communications systems. Rains caused several of the main rivers in the province to overflow, cutting off several communities because of landslides and closed highways and bridges.

"About 8,000 people have been affected by the torrential rains and the growth of rivers," said Bishop Hector Monterroso of Costa Rica. "Many have lost crops and their houses and have been evacuated.”

On behalf of Episcopalians, ERD is supplying emergency assistance to the Diocese of Costa Rica for families displaced by the floods. ERD's aid will help the diocese distribute canned foods, water, medicines, diapers, and roofing materials throughout the region.

To make a contribution to help people immediately after disasters, donate to the Emergency Relief Fund at www.er-d.org, or call 1.800.334.7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief and Development, Emergency Relief Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.