UCC Emergency Appeal for the Horn of Africa

September 1, 2011

Dear Colleagues in Ministry:

Your support is urgently needed for people facing starvation in the Horn of Africa.

According to UNICEF, the situation in the region is the most severe humanitarian crisis in the world today. It is more than a food crisis - it is a struggle for sheer survival.

In July the United Church issued a church-wide appeal inviting members to donate to the growing food security crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Your response has been wonderfully generous with over $500,000 received. Thank you! However, the need for funds remains critically urgent.

The crisis in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti is worsening. The UN has declared a famine in several regions in Southern Somalia and is concerned it will spread farther afield in the weeks to come. The international community has so far committed $1.4 billion for the emergency, but over $1 billion is still needed.

 

With church activities resuming, we ask that you share this appeal for funds through your congregation's communication channels as quickly as possible. On the General Council website, we offer resources that may be helpful in the preparation of your weekly order of service, newsletter and, if available, your church website. Please visit: http://www.united-church.ca/africa

All gifts received are used for emergency relief. The church deducts no administrative costs. Moreover, all gifts given before September 16th and received by the General Council Office by September 26th will be matched by CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency).

Time, therefore, is of the essence.

Donors may give on line at: www.united-church.ca. Gifts through congregations may be forwarded collectively but will need the names and addresses of all donors and individual amounts given to meet CIDA matching requirements.

From the bottom of our hearts, the United Church and our partners in the Horn of Africa region thanks you for your support to date. Thank you in advance for sharing this urgent appeal as widely as possible.

Yours in Christ,

Gary Kenny

Program Co-ordinator for Emergency Response and Internation