- AngliCORD CEO, Misha Coleman (left), surveys the remains of one of the many churches which were flattened during the tsunami that hit Samoa.
Disasters prompt Anglican responses
by Mark Brolly
Anglicans have rallied to meet the needs of victims of natural disasters in Asia and the Pacific, with three appeals launched in the days following the tsunami, typhoon and earthquake disasters.
Archbishop Freier said the tragedies in the Philippines, Samoa and Indonesia made evident the fragility of human life.
“Natural forces beyond most of our imagining have killed many and destroyed livelihoods in each of these countries,” he said.
Archbishop Freier commended an appeal by AngliCORD, an overseas relief and development agency of the Anglican Church of Australia, for donations to assist victims of the tsunamis in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga on 29 September that claimed more than 150 lives and left thousands of others homeless.
Both Samoa and Tonga declared a State of Emergency, with Samoa’s National Disaster Council predicting that infrastructure damage would exceed $41 million. The tsunami, caused by an 8.0-magnitude undersea quake, is believed to have destroyed at least 20 villages, with many islanders now living in fear of landslides and disease.
The agency said on its website that it would be working closely with the Polynesian Diocese of the Anglican Church to ensure that AngliCORD’s response met the highest priority needs of the local population. Its focus would be on helping families in the region to rebuild their lives.
AngliCORD chief executive officer Misha Coleman said: “I’ve been told about children’s shoes being washed up on the shoreline and scattered through the debris.
“I picture that in my mind and think, ‘How can we not act?’ “
Donations can be made at www.anglicord.org.au, by mail at AngliCORD, PO Box 139, East Melbourne Victoria 8002 or by phone, on freecall 1800-249-880 or (03) 9495-6100.
The Anglican parish of Brimbank has its own appeal after a Samoan village it has supported was one of the worst-affected areas after the tsunami.
The vicar of Brimbank, the Revd Glenn Buijs, said the parish, which has a Samoan congregation of up to 40 people, had established a program to assist the village, Saleapaga, five years ago. The appeal already had raised about $33,000
Donors may contact Brimbank parish at PO Box 671, Niddrie, Victoria, 3042, or phone 9449-2865.
Meanwhile, the Anglican Board of Mission – Australia is seeking donations for two appeals, one for Indonesia after two earthquakes struck the island of Sumatra, killing at least 1100 people, and the other for flood victims in the Philippines.
In Indonesia, ABM is supporting ACT International, which has identified the most immediate needs as tents to shelter people from heavy rain, medical teams and additional equipment to help find and recover survivors.
In the Philippines, with more than 240 people dead and 400,000 homeless after a month’s rain fell within 24 hours in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy, ABM again will work through ACT International in conjunction with the country’s National Council of Churches.
ABM also is asking for prayers for the Episcopal Church of the Philippines, which is helping with a medical relief team and by gathering and distributing food supplies. ABM funds may also be used to assist the Episcopal Church if requested.
Donations to both ABM appeals can be made to Anglican Board of Mission – Australia, Locked Bag Q4005, Queen Victoria Building, NSW 1230, by phoning 1300-302-663 or (02) 9264-1021 or by email at info@abm.asn.au