United Church Emergency Appeal for Pakistan

Pakistan continues to struggle in response to massive flooding, which has affected an estimated 20 million people. Continuing monsoon rains have washed away roads and bridges and are hampering relief efforts. The rains also sometimes make it impossible for relief and rescue helicopters to reach stranded communities.

The United Church of Canada, together with other members of the global ACT Alliance, is continuing to monitor and respond to the crisis. As a result of donations made by its members, the United Church sent $25,000 to ACT immediately following initial news of the crisis, and has now sent an additional $40,000 also to be used for ACT's work on the ground.

ACT members in Pakistan are working diligently to deliver assistance including food, water, tents, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and emergency medical care.

The United Church has also contributed $75,000 through its membership in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). The funds will be used for a multi-CFGB member supported project that will provide food kits containing rice, lentils, flour, oil, sugar, salt, tea, and spices. 

The United Church will receive donations to its Emergency Response Fund and channel these through the ACT Alliance to provide a coordinated response with other church organizations.

How United Church members can help:

• Pray: Hold the people of Pakistan and their families around the world in prayer.
• Donate: Designate a gift for "Pakistan Flood Relief." As part of the United Church's Emergency Response Fund, 85 percent of your donation will go directly to emergency response in Pakistan. Fifteen percent will be used to support emergencies that do not receive intense media coverage and response. No administration fees will be deducted from your donation. Regular donations to the Mission and Service Fund enable the
  United Church to absorb staffing and administration costs of emergency response work.
  

Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Church's Pakistan appeal through their local congregation - just mark your envelope with “Emergency Response Fund” and place it in the offering plate or drop it off to the church office during the week.