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Updates from the field
Uganda Crisis – September 2007
The LWF Uganda has worked in the Katakwi and
Amuria areas of northwestern Uganda since the war displaced
thousands of persons in 2003. We’ve provided critical support in
the refugee camps, and most recently the LWF in Uganda has
helped refugees return to their homes and villages. This effort
has created a strong positive presence of the LWF in this
community.
In the past six weeks, these village areas have
flooded because of the continuous rains that are now getting
worse. Thousands of people have been forced from their homes
because the structures are no longer stable. They are living in
the open or have occupied schools or clinics. Of the 72 schools
in the Katakwi area, 45 have been closed. Many of the schools in
safe areas are presently being used as temporary shelters.
These are the same people who have just returned
home to their villages to rebuild their lives. The floods also
mean loss of crops. This is almost harvest time and in many
areas the crops have been destroyed. The need for food will
become a major issue in the immediate future.
We are there. We were
able to immediately distribute tarpaulins, blankets, mosquito
nets and food. Please pray for today’s safety and tomorrow’s
future for the people of Uganda. Pray too for our LWF staff in
the field who serve on our behalf. We are there during this
crisis and will be there long after things return to normal.
General Secretary
Appeals for Safe Return of South Korean Hostages
August 13: Rev. Dr.
Ishmael Noko, the General Secretary of the LWF has called on the
international community to strongly support the government of
South Korea in its efforts to secure the safe release of the
South Korean hostages still held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
"All people of
faith and goodwill are praying for the safe release of the 21
South Korean hostages," he said. He hopes the crisis can be
resolved by negotiation, rather than by military or other means
that might put the lives of the hostages at further risk.
(See
www.lutheranworld.org
"News" for further detail.)
Indian Ruling against
Pharmaceutical Giant a Victory for Global Public Health
Leaders of the LWF have welcomed
statements of aid and advocacy agencies hailing the verdict by
an Indian court against the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis,
on August 6, as an important victory for global public health.
The decision will protect India’s special role as the world’s
leading provider of affordable medicines to the poor, says the
Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) in Geneva. A global campaign
by civil society has seen nearly half a million people around
the world calling for Novartis to drop its case. The EAA
mobilized church leaders to join the campaign.
(See
www.lutheranworld.org
"News" for further detail.)
Rev. Susan Johnson elected National
Bishop of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada at June
convention.
The Rev. Susan Johnson, who
currently serves as an Assistant to the Bishop in Eastern Synod,
was elected National Bishop and will take office on September 1.
Johnson will be ordained to the Office of Bishop on Saturday,
September 29, 2007 in Winnipeg. Johnson succeeds Bishop Raymond
Schultz who retires from the office September 1.
Presiding Bishop and Secretary
elected at Evangelical Lutheran Church in America August
assembly.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson was elected
to a second six-year term as presiding bishop on the second
ballot for bishop at the August assembly in Chicago. David
Swartling , a layperson from Seattle, was elected to a
six-year term as secretary. Swartling succeeds the Rev. Lowell
Almen who announced his retirement in late 2006.
LWF Regional Officer for North
America announces retirement.
Kathy J. Magnus has announced her
retirement, effective December 31, 2007 after six years in
office. The Regional Officer is an employee of the LWF and
housed in The Lutheran Center in Chicago.
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