CHICAGO, IL (September 20, 2007) \u2013 Covenant World Relief has established a special fund to help victims of record flooding in Sudan.<\/p>\n
The United Nations has warned that an estimated 3.5 million people are at risk of disease because of the floods that began in June. The flood water has claimed at least 100 lives and affected 400,000 people across the country.<\/p>\n
According to the United Nations, South Sudan, which was spared much of the devastation of previous flooding, was hit hard this year as torrential rains threatened people and livelihoods in six of its 10 states.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese six states are really affected very heavily,\u201d said Simon Kuhn, commissioner for the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC). He warned that damage to farmlands and the loss of livestock on which the majority of southerners depend could lead to starvation. One relief agency reported the living conditions as \u201cappalling.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Bentiu, where many of Sudanese Covenanters live, people can only move by boats, says James Tang, a short-term Covenant representative serving several Covenant-supported Sudanese initiatives. \u201cPeople stay on the tops of trees. Our school compound \u2013 the cement and sand – were flooded.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those desiring to donate to the relief effort by mail should make checks payable to the Evangelical Covenant Church and note on the check that the gift is for Sudan Flood Relief. Checks may be mailed to the Business Office, Evangelical Covenant Church, 5101 N. Francisco Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625.<\/p>\n
To donate online using a credit card, please visit CovChurch.org\/relief.<\/p>\n
All gifts will be acknowledged by separate receipt for income tax purposes. To make a donation, visit the link for the newly established relief fund.<\/p>\n